The New York Mets have signed highly coveted free agent outfielder Juan Soto to a 15-year 765 million dollar deal, the largest contract in sports history. The deal includes an opt-out after the 5th year along with a no-trade clause and no deferred money. The Mets can bypass the opt-out by increasing the annual salary of the remaining 10 seasons by four million, bringing the total value to 805 million dollars. The contract also comes with a 75 million dollar signing bonus.
While many teams reportedly bid on the 26-year-old Soto, the battle came down to the New York Yankees and Mets. The Yankees’ final offer was for 16 years and 760 million dollars. But in the end, the AAV of the Mets’ offer, plus the escalators included, made it hard to top in the mind of the young slugger from the Dominican Republic.
New York lands a once-in-a-generation hitter that has accomplished so much in such little time. Of all current MLB players, Juan Soto has gained the most home runs, walks, and RBIs by a player before his 26 season. He also has the 3rd most hits in this same distinction, trailing only Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout and San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado.
His slash line of .285/.421/.532 is remarkable, along with his 36 total WAR (Wins Above Replacement) and career 160 OPS+ (60% better than league average hitter). He also arrives in Queens with four all-star appearances, five silver sluggers, the 2020 NL batting title, and winning the 2019 World Series as a member of the Washington Nationals. Not to mention, he was among the top 10 in MVP voting in five of his seven big league seasons.
Soto comes to the Mets ready to help bring the Amazins back to the promised land, a place they haven’t been since 1986. Soto joins starting pitcher Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes as the Mets free agency acquisitions, and Mets CEO Steve Cohen is still looking to build out his franchise coming off their 2024 surprise run to the NLCS. Could Pete Alonso be returning? Does Cohen make a play for Roki Sasaki? Time will tell, but his message was heard loud and clear. Nobody will outbid the billion dollar Hedge Fund manager from Great Neck.
