This offer surpasses previous proposals.
Soto recently completed a season with the New York Yankees, who were said to have extended a 16-year contract worth $760 million. However, Soto’s representatives have emphasized his intent to secure the most lucrative offer available.
The proposed Mets contract certainly stands out, with sources informing MLB that the deal with the 26-year-old is valued at $765 million. This includes a $75 million signing bonus, an opt-out clause after five seasons, and no deferred payments, potentially escalating the deal’s value to over $800 million.
Compared to other historical contracts, this deal is unprecedented.
In March 2021, Francisco Lindor secured a 10-year contract worth $341 million with the Mets, and in March 2019, Mike Trout signed a 12-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels valued at $426.5 million.
In December 2023, Shohei Ohtani from Japan agreed to a decade-long, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Soto’s agreement, however, eclipses these figures, making it the largest contract in professional sports history to date.
Fans of the sport have already begun to express their opinions on the deal.
One Twitter user remarked: “Holy moly, that’s more than enough! That’s $51 million per year. That’s $980,769 per week! Overpaid? Yeah my boss thinks I’m overpaid at $1000 per week.”
Another added: “You could buy an entire team with that much money.”
A third observer commented: “Baseball clears every sport tbf,” while a fourth mentioned: “CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY.”
Undoubtedly, the financial aspect is staggering, but Soto’s contract reflects his impressive career achievements, despite being just 26 years old.
He is recognized as one of the finest hitters in the sport, having entered the league at the age of 19.
Soto boasts 201 home runs, a 2020 batting title, and five Silver Slugger Awards.
According to MLB reports: “In 4,088 career plate appearances, Soto owns a .285/.421/.532 slash line. His on-base percentage is the best among active Major Leaguers.”