A $90 steak would be hard to justify for most unless there’s $765 million more where that came from.
As reported by TMZtoasted newly signed New York Mets slugger Juan Soto on his nearly $1 billion deal at the Benjamin Prime steakhouse in Manhattan, where the fabulously wealthy 26-year-old dined on ribeye, tomato and mozzarella salad, champagne and a personalized cake. Just don’t tell the Mets fans who are already worried about Soto’s weight.
No final billing amount has been announced yet, but the establishment’s menu lists the ribeye for $89 and the salad for $28. As for the duration of the meal, Soto reportedly hung around for three hours and was very “sober” towards the staff.
TMZ’s report did include Soto’s steak spec: It turns out the Yankees defector likes his chops on average.
Benjamin Prime is already well-known among New York glitterati. A quick look at the establishment’s social media accounts reveals visits from former Giants quarterback Eli Manning, as well as rapper 50 Cent and TV personality Mario Lopez.
And that’s just one of the recent treats Soto has enjoyed during his weeks-long courtship.
Juan Soto of the Mets poses with his new uniform after his introductory press conference
No final billing amount has been announced yet, but the establishment’s menu lists the ribeye for $89
For $28, the tomato and mozzarella salad was included as Soto’s entree at Benjamin’s
When the outfielder traveled to owner Steve Cohen’s home in Beverly Hills, California for a presentation last month, the team unveiled a video showing an image of a future Soto statue outside Citi Field, next to the statue of franchise great Tom Seaver.
“Everything they showed me, what they have, what they want to do, was incredible,” Soto said. “But my favorite part was the video.”
Soto was introduced Thursday at Citi Field, a day after his record 15-year contract was completed. During his speech at the Piazza 31 Club, he was flanked by Mets owner Steve Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and agent Scott Boras. Security men in gray suits with earphones stood to the side.
The slugger entered led by Boras, wearing a dark suit, a black turtleneck and a gold chain with his number 22. Soto chose the Mets over the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.
His deal includes a luxury suite and four premium home game tickets, all complimentary, and personal team security for the four-time All-Star and his family at the team’s expense for all spring training and the regular season home and road. games.
‘My family is very important to me. Without them, I probably wouldn’t be here,” Soto said. “It’s one of the biggest things.”
Boras had asked for those sweeteners.
“We recorded it in the beginning,” Cohen said. “He made a request and we were happy to do so.”
The crosstown Yankees, who reached the World Series for the first time since 2009 thanks in part to Soto, refused to consider the concept.
A quick look at the establishment’s social media accounts reveals visits from former Giants quarterback Eli Manning (right), as well as rapper 50 Cent and TV personality Mario Lopez
Benjamin Prime is a New York steakhouse that was founded in 2006 and is located on 40th Street
“Some of the high-end players that make a lot of money for us, if they want suites, they buy them,” general manager Brian Cashman said.
Cohen bought the Mets before the 2021 season and has taken them to baseball’s highest payroll in search of the team’s first title since 1986 — when the World Series MVP, like Soto, wore No. 22 — Ray Knight. The owner thanked his son Josh for helping him create the video and praised his 93-year-old father-in-law Ralph for attending the first meeting with Soto.
While other teams met with Soto at Pendry Newport Beach, a hotel just a five-minute drive from Boras Corp.’s offices, Cohen asked to host the session at his home.
“When we go to a restaurant, I didn’t know what the atmosphere would be like,” Cohen said. ‘Food is better at my house.’
Cohen and Soto met again Friday at another owner’s home in Boca Raton, Florida. Soto wanted to know how many championships does Cohen expect to see in the next ten years?
“I said I’d like to win two to four,” the owner recalled.
The value of Soto’s contract eclipsed Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. The length exceeded Fernando Tatis Jr.’s $340 million, 14-year deal with San Diego that runs through 2034. The 26-year-old Soto hit .288 this year with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs and 129 walks and has a . 285 career average with 201 home runs, 592 RBIs and 769 walks over seven seasons with Washington, San Diego and the Yankees.
Boras didn’t want to discuss who finished second in the bidding in Soto’s mind.
“When you’re at a wedding, you don’t talk about the bridesmaids,” he said.
Soto made the decision Sunday while at home with his family. Boras called the group the “Soto Supreme Court,” defined as “mother, sister, father—he has a broad group.” I think he has eight or nine uncles.’
“My requests for information and things like that were kind of unique,” Boras said, detailing that his team was by definition asking for OPS. Soto’s 1,175 at Citi Field is his highest in any stadium where he has played 15 or more games.
Soto cited Cohen’s relationship with Mets stars Francisco Lindor and Edwin Díaz as a factor in his thoughts.
“They are like a (close-knit) family, a family that wants to win, but certainly wants to take care of their players and their families,” Soto said.
Soto left the Yankees to sign with billionaire Steve Cohen’s New York Mets (pictured).
Cohen had his wife Alex and father-in-law attend the first meeting to emphasize the kinship.
“My father-in-law is at every game, every home game,” Cohen said. “I wanted him to see how important baseball is to this family. And Alex grew up with one TV in an apartment and that Met game was on every night.”
Cohen likes owning the Mets. He spoke to a town hall of his hedge fund earlier in the day.
“Every time you meet someone, they want to talk about the Mets before they talk about the financial markets,” he said.
Soto’s success will be determined by World Series titles. The Yankees have 27, the Mets two.
“It’s such a big city, right? There’s plenty of room for both of us,” Cohen said.
Soto had a more direct definition.
“The championships will ultimately tell you if it’s a Yankees or Mets town,” he said.