Juan Soto’s MLB free agency decision is so highly anticipated that it made the cold open of “Saturday Night Live” — including a customary dig at the Mets.
With the sports world waiting to see where the 26-year-old will sign as the Yankees and Mets pursue the superstar outfielder with offers north of $700 million, “SNL” did a Soto bit during its cold open on Saturday during a Church Chat skit, in which Dana Carvey reprised his role as Church Lady.
Soto, played by Marcello Hernandez, joined Church Lady as a guest while wearing a white jersey with a question mark on it and a Celsius hat, after he teased an “announcement” last month in a commercial featuring a mock press conference where he put the hat on as he partnered with the energy drink brand.
When Church Lady tells Soto in the skit that “money is the root of all evil,” he replies, “Well, if that’s true, then I’m gonna become the most evil baseball player in the world.”
The fake Soto is then asked to tell the world which team he’s going to sign with.
“I don’t know. Right now, I hope the Yankees make me the best offer,” he says.
The skit then took aim at the Mets.
“Well as a Christian, I have to ask you: why not spend your time and money helping the needy and less fortunate?” Church Lady asks.
“You’re right. Maybe I’ll sign with the Mets,” Soto replies.
The Post’s Jon Heyman reported Saturday evening that the Yankees and Mets each upped their offers to Soto into the $710 million-$730 million range, above Shohei Ohtani’s record-setting $700 million Dodgers deal from last offseason, though that contract features $680 million in deferrals.
The Dodgers, Red Sox and Blue Jays are the other contenders for Soto’s services.
