Juan Soto will stay in New York, moving from the Bronx to Queens. According to reports, the 26-year-old outfielder has agreed to a historic 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets. This deal, marking the largest in MLB history, exceeds the previous $700 million pact signed by Shohei Ohtani.
By securing Juan Soto, the Mets bring on board one of the brightest young talents in baseball, potentially having him for five of his peak years. Soto’s contract, which includes a player opt-out in 2028, offers him the opportunity to test the free-agent market again at age 31. In addition to his sizable signing bonus of $75 million, Soto’s new deal underscores the Mets’ commitment to building a powerhouse roster.
Furthermore, Soto’s new contract with the Mets, featuring deferred payments and escalating figures potentially surpassing $800 million, signifies a significant milestone in North American sports history. His decision to leave the Bronx for Queens is not just a major acquisition for the Mets but also a significant setback for the Yankees. In his brief stint with the team, Soto was instrumental in pushing the Yankees to the World Series, where he posted a .288/.419/.569 batting line, hitting 41 home runs and driving in 109 runs.
The MLB All-Star is widely regarded as one of the most talented players of his era, frequently compared to baseball icons like Ted Williams.
Despite not yet capturing an MVP award, Soto finished third in the AL MVP voting last season—highlighting his consistent dominance over the past six years. Among active hitters, Soto stands out with a .285 career batting average, .421 on-base percentage, .532 slugging percentage, and .953 OPS, cementing his status as one of the game’s premier offensive threats. In just 936 career games, Soto has belted 201 home runs and accumulated 934 hits, demonstrating his consistent ability to impact the game on offense.
Soto’s path from Nationals to Yankees deal captures MLB’s focus
Juan Soto’s free agency has been closely watched in Major League Baseball over the past few years. After declining a 15-year, $440 million contract extension with the Washington Nationals in 2022—just three seasons after playing a key role in their World Series victory—the 25-year-old outfielder was traded to the San Diego Padres. Soto and the Padres made a playoff run that year, reaching the National League Championship Series, but San Diego’s struggles in 2023 led to his move to New York.
Even as the Yankees surged toward a World Series appearance last season, Soto’s free agency remained a relentless topic of discussion. As the offseason approached, only a select few teams emerged with serious offers, all anticipating a deal worth at least $600 million. The negotiation process accelerated after Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, met in a Southern California office in November, with expectations building for a resolution by the end of the meeting. Yet, the timeline shifted to Sunday, coinciding with the opening of the winter meeting in Dallas, where Soto’s impending deal was the main attraction.
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