Juan Soto teased fans with a public announcement that had nothing to do with his free-agency decision.
The All-Star outfielder, who has the Yankees, Mets and other heavyweights lined up to give him hundreds of millions of dollars, is off the market — for energy drinks.
“The announcement you’ve been waiting for,” Soto, 26, wrote on Instagram, including a video of him at a press conference announcing that he joined Celsius as a brand partner Tuesday. “What? You were waiting for a different announcement?”
Fans were hoping Soto would announce where he’ll take his talents next season after a World Series run with the Yankees that fell short to the Dodgers last month.
Juan Soto teased a big announcement amid his free agency sweepstakes on Nov. 26, 2024.Instagram/Juan Soto
Many believe Soto will decide to sign his next mega deal sometime around the Winter Meetings, which begin Dec. 8 in Dallas.
The Mets have Steve Cohen — the richest owner in the sport — but the Yankees have an advantage of familiarity after Soto wore pinstripes in 2024.
“We’ll see what happens,” Cohen said Monday while at an event for his New York Golf Club in the TGL golf league. “We built a great team last year, I fully expect to do the same this year.”
Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees hits a single during the fourth inning of Game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 30, 2024.Jason Szenes / New York Post
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who won his second AL MVP Award last week, made it clear that he wants Soto back in The Bronx during a meeting with Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner on Friday in Tampa, where they both live.
Soto heard the “re-sign him” chants from Yankees faithful this past season.
(L-R) Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees react on the dugout fence during the fifth inning in Game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 30, 2024.Jason Szenes / New York Post
Judge also enjoyed it, as seen in a video of the superstars smiling in the outfield back in August.
