Mets Sign Juan Soto to Record-Breaking $765 Million Contract
The New York Mets have signed star outfielder Juan Soto to a record-shattering 15-year, $765 million contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.
The deal, which could escalate to $805 million with an opt-out clause, is believed to be the largest contract in the history of team sports.
The agreement, first reported by the New York Post, is contingent upon a successful physical. While precise records for team sports outside the United States are unavailable, Soto’s deal is widely considered to surpass any previously signed contract in any major sport globally.
The Mets’ acquisition of Soto comes on the eve of baseball’s winter meetings, outbidding the New York Yankees, who also pursued the star player. The Yankees’ final offer reportedly totaled $760 million over 16 years.
Soto’s contract, which does not include deferred payments, boasts an average annual value of $51 million, surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The length of the contract also eclipses Fernando Tatis Jr.’s 14-year, $340 million agreement with the San Diego Padres.
The 26-year-old, four-time All-Star, is considered the most accomplished free agent of his age since Alex Rodriguez signed a then-record $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers in 2000.
Soto’s career trajectory is impressive. He debuted in the major leagues at age 19 with the Washington Nationals in 2018, contributing significantly to their World Series victory in 2019. After rejecting a $440 million offer from Washington in 2022, he was traded to San Diego before being acquired by the Yankees in December 2023. With the Yankees, he played a crucial role in their World Series appearance, displaying exceptional performance with a .288 batting average, 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, and 129 walks.
Over seven major league seasons, Soto boasts a .285 batting average, 201 home runs, 592 RBIs, and 769 walks. The Mets are betting big on his continued success, securing one of baseball’s most prodigious talents for the next decade and a half.
