David Ortiz hoped to get Juan Soto to the Red Sox before the star outfielder . We wanted him in Boston, Ortiz said Saturday. Unfortunately, it didnt work out. on behalf of the Red Sox last month, telling the Baseball Isnt Boring podcast, If he signs with this organization, which is an amazing organization, he can balance the clubhouse in a way that I did. Hes gonna have Coach Papi in his corner. David Ortiz made a push to bring Juan Soto to the Red Sox. Getty Images Instead, it came down to before Everton Jersey Soto got the richest contract in baseball history to go to the Mets after one season as a Yankee. Asked if he was surprised Soto chose Queens over The Bronx, Ortiz said, Its a busine s. Its always a busine s and hes got to go wherever is best for him and his family. The Yankees came up just short in their pursuit to retain Soto, offering him $760 million over 16 years. Explore More The Mets came up with a deal that included a $75 million signing bonus, as well as escalators that could bring the total to $805 million. Its great, Ortiz said of Sotos record-setting deal that came after interest from the Blue Jays and Dodgers, as well as the Mets, Yankees and Red Sox. Its well deserved, what he got, and were gonna continue cheering for him. Hes a great kid. You guys are gonna enjoy Soto for a while here. Ortiz and Soto are from the Dominican Republic and Ortiz said he knows Sotos family very well. Ortiz spent Saturday afternoon handing out gifts in Inwood on behalf of SOMOS Community Care, a non-profit organization that represents neighborhood doctors. Now, Soto is part of a team thats coming off an unexpected run to the NLCS, where the Mets lost to the eventual champion Dodgers in six games after Soto helped lead the Yankees to their first World Series appearance in 15 years. I feel that is what its all about, why you play baseball to be a championship player and win as many as you can, Soto said during his introductory pre s conference Thursday at Citi Field. At the end of the day, you can have all this stuff, but if you dont win, its kind of hard. Juan Soto poses during his introductory Mets pre s conference on Dec. 12, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Hes 26, but hes mature, Ortiz said. He has a good head. I wish him the best. Since losing out on Soto, the Yankees have pivoted to signing left-hander Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal to fortify their rotation and traded for Milwaukees Devin Williams to be their new closer. Boston, meanwhile, acquired left-hander Garrett Crochet from the White Sox. Third baseman Alex Bregman, first basemen Pete Alonso and Christian Walker and outfielder Anthony Santander remain potential options on the free agent market for the Yankees. The Red Sox have made the playoffs just once since winning the World Series in 2018 and are expected to be active the rest of the offseason. North Central America Jersey