In a stunning move that sent shockwaves through the baseball world, Juan Soto has signed with the New York Mets on a 15-year, $765 million contract. The news came late Sunday night, marking one of the most monumental acquisitions in MLB history.
The deal includes an opt-out after five years and no deferred money. If Soto chooses to opt out, the Mets can void it by increasing his annual salary in the final 10 seasons by $4 million, bringing the total value of his contract up to $805 million.
The 26-year-old outfielder, known for his exceptional power and ability to get on base, will join a Mets squad that made a deep run to the National League Championship Series last season and will look to be a threat for the NL pennant for years to come.
The Mets’ front office, led by their President of Baseball Operations David Sterns, have been aggressive so far this offseason. Having already signed outfielder Jose Siri and pitchers Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes, the Amazin’s are certainly committed to building a championship-caliber team.
Soto will grant the Mets a franchise cornerstone to join Francisco Lindor in the lineup, giving the team a dominant 1-2 punch that might just surpass any in baseball.
Soto had a standout season in 2024, where he led his team to the World Series and finished 3rd in MVP voting. There was no doubt Soto was the most prestigious name in the free agency pool, as he drew immense interest from several teams. Some of the final bidders included the Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Red Sox, but in the end, it was Steve Cohen’s offer that won out.
The Yankees did present Soto a competitive offer: a 16-year, $760 million deal with an annual average value of $47.5 million with no deferrals. However, it ultimately wasn’t enough as Soto chose the Mets.
Through his first seven MLB seasons, Soto has hit .285/.421/.532 with 201 home runs, 592 RBIs, and a WAR above 36. Despite statistically being a below-average defender, Soto’s command of the strike zone is exceptional, as he has recorded more walks (769) than strikeouts (696) throughout his career.
If there is any resume that is suitable for this amount of money and commitment, it is Juan Soto’s. At the age of 26, Soto has been a four-time all-star, four-time silver slugger, batting champion, World Series champion, and home run derby champion. His .421 on-base percentage has been the best in baseball since his debut, with his slugging being seventh.
The four-time all-star will now leave the Bronx to join NL MVP runner-up Francisco Lindor in Queens. The Mets had a record of 89-73 in 2024 and made an impressive run to the National League Championship Series, where they were eliminated by the Dodgers in six games. The acquisition of Juan Soto should ensure many more postseason runs in New York for the foreseeable future.
