Juan Soto joins New York Mets.©(@NoFilterNet )
Juan Soto has made history by signing a 15-year, $765 million (£600 million) contract with Major League Baseball’s New York Mets, the largest deal ever in professional sports. The agreement, finalized on Wednesday, follows a medical examination for the 26-year-old Dominican star.
In a statement, Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen called Juan Soto a “generational talent,” praising his exceptional skills and championship experience. “This is a seminal moment in franchise history,” the Cohens added.
Soto Leaves Yankees After Career-Best Season
Soto, who became a free agent after an outstanding season with the New York Yankees, was the most sought-after player in baseball this offseason. Last year, Soto delivered a career-best performance, hitting 41 home runs with 109 runs batted in (RBIs) and a .288 batting average over 157 games.
The Yankees offered Soto a $760 million (£595 million) deal spanning 16 years, but the Mets outbid their New York rivals.
Record-Breaking Contract Details
The contract includes a $75 million (£58.7 million) signing bonus, surpassing the $700 million (£558 million) deal signed by Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. Ohtani’s contract, which includes deferred payments, previously held the record as the largest in baseball.
Deferred-money agreements, commonly used in American sports, allow teams to spread payments over time. Soto’s contract, however, represents the highest total value in professional sports history.
Comparisons Across Sports
Soto’s deal outshines other significant contracts in sports, including:
- Patrick Mahomes’ 10-year, $450 million (£352 million) extension with the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL.
- Dak Prescott’s $240 million (£183 million) four-year NFL contract boasts the highest annual salary.
- Jayson Tatum’s five-year, $314 million (£245 million) NBA deal with the Boston Celtics.
In football, Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr reportedly earns him over €200 million (£176.5 million) annually, while Lionel Messi’s deal with Inter Miami is worth up to $60 million (£47 million) a year.
Soto’s Career Highlights
Soto, who debuted with the Washington Nationals, made an immediate impact by helping the team beat the 2019 World Series against the Houston Astros in his first entire season. He was the latest to recreate for the San Diego Padres before joining the Yankees.
Over 936 regular-season games, Soto has achieved a .285 batting average, 201 home runs, and 592 RBIs. His postseason record includes a strong performance in the 2024 World Series, where he batted .313, hit one home run, and recorded one RBI despite the Yankees falling 4-1 to the Dodgers.
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Soto’s move to the Mets is a transformative moment for the franchise, solidifying their position as a top contender in MLB for years to come.
