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Summary:
- Juan Soto and the New York Mets have reportedly agreed to a historic contract.
- This is the largest contract in team sports history, including a 2029 opt-out unless the Mets raise annual pay by $4 million.
- At 26, Soto is a four-time All-Star with a .285 average, 201 home runs, and a key role in the Yankees’ 2023 postseason success.
Star outfielder Juan Soto and the New York Mets have reportedly reached a historical $765 million agreement over 15 years, marking what is believed to be the largest contract in team sports history.
The information comes from an anonymous source who spoke to The Associated Press. The unprecedented deal, which is still pending physical examination, was originally reported by the New York Post.
Surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s 10-Year Deal with the LA Dodgers
Soto’s contract includes a clause allowing him to opt out after the 2029 season unless the Mets increase the total contract value to $805 million by raising the annual salary by $4 million yearly.
As part of the deal, Soto will receive a $75 million signing bonus, which will be distributed once the agreement is approved by the commissioner’s office.
This contract surpasses the previous Major League Baseball record held by Shohei Ohtani‘s 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers signed last December.
As opposed to Ohtani’s deal which involved $680 million in deferred payments and resulted in a lower luxury tax hit, Soto’s contract does not include deferred money.
The average annual salary of $51 million in Soto’s agreement exceeds all previous benchmarks in MLB.
This historic deal was finalized just before the first full day of baseball’s annual winter meetings. Its 15-year duration exceeds the 14-year, $340 million contract signed by Fernando Tatis Jr. with the San Diego Padres, which runs through 2034.
A second source familiar with the negotiations revealed that the Yankees’ final bid to retain Soto was $760 million over 16 years, which carried an average annual value of $47.5 million.
Impressive Career Highlights at 26
At just 26 years old, Soto is already a four-time All-Star and one of the most accomplished free agents of his age since Alex Rodriguez secured his record-setting $252 million, 10-year contract with the Texas Rangers in 2000 at 25 years old.
Soto broke into the major leagues in 2019 with the Washington Nationals when he was 19 and proved to be crucial for their 2019 World Series victory, hitting .282 with 34 home runs and 110 RBIs during the season.
In 2022, the Santo Domingo-born said no to a $440 million extension over 15 years from Washington and was traded to San Diego.
After the passing of Padres owner Peter Seidler, the club dealt Soto to the Yankees in December 2023. There, Soto assisted New York with making their first World Series appearance since 2009.
During the 2023 season, the iconic player posted a .288 batting average, smashing 41 home runs, driving in 109 runs, and drawing 129 walks.
Batting ahead of Aaron Judge, Soto played a pivotal role in an offense that led the majors with 237 home runs.
His postseason heroics included a clutch home run in the ALCS opener against Cleveland and a three-run blast in Game 5 that secured the Yankees’ pennant.
Over his seven-season career, Soto has compiled a .285 average, 201 home runs, 592 RBIs, and 769 walks.
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