According to sources cited by MLB.com, Juan Soto Reportedly agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. The deal, pending a physical, is the largest contract in MLB history, surpassing any precedent in both overall value and average annual salary, including Shohei Ohtani.
The deal, which includes a $75 million signing bonus and a full no-trade clause, guarantees Soto $51 million per season. In a unique twist, the deal offers an opt-out clause after five seasons, though the Mets can waive that clause if they increase the final ten years’ average annual value from $51 million to $55 million. This adjustment must occur, The total value of the contract will increase to $805 millionWith an average annual value of $53.66 million—a mind-boggling figure that cements Soto’s place in baseball history.
© Newsday LLCThe record-breaking deal surpasses Shohei Ohtani’s pending $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and surpasses the Mets’ previous franchise record – a $341 million deal. Francisco Lindor.
A bold move for the Mets and a win for the Latino community
Mets owner Steve Cohen He emerged as a key driver in this high-stakes bidding war, outpacing aggressive offers from powerhouse teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Red Sox. The Yankees reportedly tabled a 16-year, $760 million offer but fell through when Cohen’s vision and financial commitment to secure Soto made the Mets’ offer unbeatable.
The Dominican’s arrival bolstered the Mets roster and reignited the crosstown rivalry with the Yankees. Their first matchup featuring Soto will take place on May 16 in the Bronx.
A career built for the record books
Juan José Soto Pacheco (born October 25, 1998) is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees. Soto signed with the Nationals as an international free agent in 2015.
© Jim McIsaacHe made his MLB debut in 2018 and was the runner-up for the NL Rookie of the Year Award. In 2019, he played a key role in the Nationals’ first World Series championship, winning him the Babe Ruth Award. In 2020, he won the National League batting title with a .351 average. Soto won the Silver Slugger Award five times and was a four-time All-Star.
Soto’s accomplishments during his seven years in the majors illustrate why the Mets made this historic investment. Debuting at age 19 with the Washington Nationals, Soto hit 22 home runs in 116 games. By 20, he was instrumental in leading the Nationals to a World Series championship. In six full seasons with the Nationals, Padres and Mets, Soto consistently proved his elite talent, earning five top 10 MVP finishes by the age of 26.
© Kevork DjansezianWith this landmark deal, Soto is poised to further solidify his legacy, anchoring the Mets as a perennial contender for years to come. The deal marked a seismic moment in baseball history for fans and rivals alike, setting a new benchmark for the sport’s brightest stars.
The Juan Soto era has officially begun in New York and the baseball world will be watching closely.
