Juan Soto and New York Mets Ink Historic $765 Million Deal
In what is potentially the largest agreement in the history of team sports, outfielder Juan Soto has reportedly agreed to a massive contract with the New York Mets. The deal, valued at $765 million over 15 years, could rise to $805 million, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity. This groundbreaking contract was first reported by the New York Post and is contingent upon Soto passing a physical examination.
The agreement, reached just before the start of baseball’s winter meetings, marks a significant moment as it surpasses all previous records in team sports, including those outside the United States. Soto’s decision to join the Mets comes after he played a pivotal role in leading the New York Yankees to the World Series.
The contract allows Soto to opt-out after the 2029 season unless the Mets increase the average annual value of the contract by $4 million at that time. Included in the deal is a $75 million signing bonus, which will be paid upon approval by the MLB commissioner’s office.
Soto’s contract is now the largest and longest in Major League Baseball history, overtaking Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, signed last December. Unlike Ohtani’s agreement, which involved deferred payments, Soto’s deal does not include any deferred money, resulting in an average annual value of $51 million.
The offer from the Yankees to retain Soto was reportedly $760 million over 16 years, but it fell short in terms of average annual value at $47.5 million. A second source provided these details under anonymity as well.
At just 26 years old, Soto is a four-time All-Star and stands as the most accomplished free agent at his age since Alex Rodriguez’s record-setting $252 million contract with Texas in 2000. Soto debuted in Major League Baseball with the Washington Nationals at 19 and played a key role in their 2019 World Series victory.
Soto turned down a $440 million, 15-year offer from Washington in 2022 and was traded to San Diego later that year. Following the passing of Padres owner Peter Seidler, Soto was traded to the Yankees in December 2023, propelling the team to their first World Series since 2009.
In the last season, Soto performed impressively with a .288 batting average, 41 home runs, and 109 RBIs, batting ahead of Aaron Judge. His clutch performances in the playoffs, including a go-ahead homer against Cleveland in the AL Championship Series and a decisive three-run homer in Game 5 against the Guardians, were instrumental in the Yankees’ success.
Over his seven-season career, Soto has amassed a .285 batting average with 201 home runs, 592 RBIs, and 769 walks.
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