Juan Soto breaks the record for the largest contract in professional sports history

In a landmark move that has reshaped the landscape of professional sports, superstar outfielder Juan Soto has agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. This historic deal, announced on Sunday night, is now the largest contract in the history of professional sports, eclipsing previous records.

The deal includes an opt-out clause after five years, giving Soto the opportunity to leave if he chooses. If he remains with the Mets for the full duration of the contract, his salary will increase by $4 million annually, from $51 million to $55 million, potentially pushing the total value beyond $800 million. In addition to the hefty contract, Soto will receive a $75 million signing bonus.

The 26-year-old Soto, widely regarded as one of the most prodigious talents in Major League Baseball, joins the Mets after a stellar season with the New York Yankees. He played a pivotal role in guiding the Yankees to the World Series and finished third in American League MVP voting. Soto’s free agency set off a frenzy among some of the league’s biggest teams, with the Mets, Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers all competing for his services. The bidding war even attracted smaller-market teams, including the Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays, eager to add his extraordinary bat to their lineups.

Despite the intense competition, Soto ultimately chose the Mets, whose impressive playoff run in the National League Championship Series last season made them a promising contender for years to come. Soto’s deal with the Mets surpasses the $700 million, 10-year contract that Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last winter, which included significant deferred money. Unlike Ohtani’s contract, Soto’s deal has no deferred money, giving it a net present value much higher than Ohtani’s.

Soto’s meteoric rise began in Washington, where he was a standout prospect for the Nationals. At just 19, Soto debuted in the major leagues, crushing a first-pitch fastball for a home run. Over the next six seasons, he emerged as one of the game’s premier hitters, known for his rare ability to hit to all parts of the field and for his exceptional plate discipline. He led the Nationals to a World Series title in 2019, hitting three home runs in the Fall Classic and solidifying his place among the game’s elite.

Soto’s free agency was the culmination of a series of moves that began when the Nationals traded him to the San Diego Padres after he rejected a 15-year, $440 million contract extension from Washington. With the Padres, Soto continued to shine, leading the National League in walks and earning a career-high 35 home runs in 2023. Despite San Diego’s efforts to extend him, Soto chose to move on, ultimately finding his new home with the Mets.

Soto’s career accomplishments are already impressive: he’s a four-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger, a Home Run Derby champion, and a World Series champion. His on-base percentage of .421 since his debut is the highest in baseball during that span, and his slugging percentage of .532 ranks seventh. His 769 career walks are the most ever by a player through his age-25 season.

The Mets’ decision to lock Soto into a long-term contract reflects not only his extraordinary talent but also their confidence in his ability to lead the team for the foreseeable future. By securing Soto, the Mets have solidified their position as one of the most potent offensive teams in the league, with a lineup that now includes one of the game’s best hitters.

This contract is a testament to Soto’s exceptional value on the open market. His agent, Scott Boras, had long maintained that the value of elite players should be based on market dynamics, not comparisons to other contracts. And the market spoke loud and clear with this historic deal, setting a new standard for player compensation in professional sports.

In the end, the Mets’ record-setting agreement with Soto marks the beginning of a new chapter for the star outfielder and the team. With Soto in the fold, the Mets are poised to contend for championships for years to come, making this one of the most significant contracts in baseball history.