Juan Soto is staying in New York, but he won’t be with the Yankees.
Instead, the New York Mets, long believed to be a frontrunner to land the 26-year-old superstar, have landed him on an MLB-record $765 million contract over 15 years, according to multiple reports.
In fact, that astronomical number gives Soto the largest contract in professional sports history.
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)
Last offseason, it was Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers that broke those records.
While the Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays were in play as well, it was believed by many to be a bidding war between the Mets and New York Yankees – the team who traded for Soto before the 2024 MLB season, which he helped reach the World Series.
The Yankees offered Soto $760 million over 16 years, according to the New York Post. It’s unclear if there were deferments similar to Ohtani’s contract in the Yankees’ offer, but the Mets reportedly don’t have any.
Mets owner Steve Cohen shelled out $51 million per season with no deferments over those 15 years, according to multiple reports. ESPN reported there were “escalators that can reach above $800 million.
However, there is reportedly an opt-out clause for Soto after five years.
And so ends the free agency saga of one of the best players in the sport, as Soto brings his lethal hitting skills crosstown to a team that reached the NLCS in Cinderella story fashion after finishing red-hot.
Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees celebrates after hitting a home run in the 10th inning against the Cleveland Guardians during Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 19, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Soto will fit in nicely with All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor as well as budding young talent, including Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez, making the Mets a World Series contender now and in the future.
Soto had the best year of his career in 2024 during his one and only season with the Yankees. The four-time All-Star hit .288 with 41 home runs while having 129 walks, second only former teammate and 2024 AL MVP Aaron Judge.
During the Yankees’ run to the World Series, his performances were crucial in the ALDS and ALCS, which was highlighted by his game-sealing, go-ahead extra-inning home run against the Cleveland Guardians.
Soto hit .327 with a .469 on-base percentage with four homers in the postseason, and the Mets are hoping to give him another October where he can do the same.
As the Mets celebrate landing the generational talent, those teams hoping it would’ve been them he chose will start searching elsewhere to bolster rosters for the 2025 campaign.
Oct 7, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) reacts after getting an out to end the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals during game two of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner-Imagn Images)
Those aforementioned teams should move on to top talent including Max Fried, Corbin Burnes, Alex Bregman and many more on the free agent list.
