According to sources cited by MLB.com, Juan Soto has 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 contract, which includes a $75 million signing bonus and an entire 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 void that clause if they increase the average annual value of the final ten years from $51 million to $55 million. Should this adjustment occur, the contract’s total value would rise to $805 million, with an average annual value of $53.66 million—a mind-boggling figure that cements Soto’s place in baseball history.
This record-breaking agreement surpasses Shohei Ohtani’s deferred $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and far exceeds the Mets’ previous franchise record—a $341 million deal with Francisco Lindor.
A Bold Move for the Mets and a Win for the Latino Community
Mets owner Steve Cohen emerged as the 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 presented a 16-year, $760 million offer but fell short as Cohen’s vision and financial commitment to securing Soto made the Mets’ proposal unbeatable.
The Dominican’s arrival bolsters the Mets’ roster and re-ignites the crosstown rivalry with the Yankees. Their first matchup featuring Soto is slated for 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 has 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, earning him the Babe Ruth Award. In 2020, he won the National League batting title with a .351 average. Soto has also won the Silver Slugger Award five times and is a four-time All-Star.
Soto’s achievements over his seven years in the majors underscore why the Mets made this historic investment. Debuting at 19 years old with the Washington Nationals, Soto hit 22 home runs in 116 games. By 20, he was pivotal in leading the Nationals to a World Series championship. Over six full seasons with the Nationals, Padres, and Mets, Soto has consistently proven his elite talent, earning five Top 10 MVP finishes by age 26.
© Kevork DjansezianWith this groundbreaking contract, Soto is poised to solidify his legacy further, anchoring the Mets as a perennial contender for years to come. This deal marks 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 in New York has officially begun, and the baseball world will watch closely.