In a groundbreaking move that has sent shockwaves throughout the world of professional sports, superstar outfielder Juan Soto has agreed to terms on a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, sources confirmed to ESPN on Sunday night. This monumental deal, which surpasses the previous record for the largest contract in sports history, will see the 26-year-old Soto secure the most lucrative individual contract in professional sports.
The contract, which includes an opt-out clause after five years, is poised to set Soto up for a long and prosperous future in New York. If Soto chooses not to exercise the opt-out, his salary will rise by $4 million annually, pushing his pay from $51 million to $55 million per year for the remainder of the contract. This adjustment could elevate the total value of the deal to more than $800 million, making it even more remarkable.
Juan Soto’s acquisition by the Mets represents a significant step in the franchise’s long-term vision. Soto, known for his elite bat speed, power, and ability to consistently work the count, joins a Mets team that is fresh off a surprising run to the National League Championship Series last season. With Soto in the fold, the Mets are now positioned to be contenders for the foreseeable future.

This contract comes on the heels of Soto’s stellar performance in 2023, where he helped lead the New York Yankees to a World Series title. The slugger finished third in American League MVP voting and provided consistent power throughout the season. His presence on the free-agent market sparked intense interest from multiple major league teams, with the Mets, Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers emerging as the top suitors.
While the Yankees put together a competitive offer—reportedly a 16-year, $760 million contract with an annual average value of $47.5 million—the Mets ultimately won the bidding war. Other teams, including the lower-payroll Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays, also considered signing Soto, intrigued by his prodigious offensive talents.
Over the course of his seven-year Major League Baseball career, Soto has established himself as one of the most feared hitters in the game. His .285 career batting average, combined with a .421 on-base percentage and a .532 slugging percentage, has made him a rare talent. With 201 career home runs, 592 RBIs, and more than 36 wins above replacement (WAR), Soto has proven to be a cornerstone player capable of changing the trajectory of any franchise.
Despite being considered below average defensively in the corner outfield, Soto’s command of the strike zone is second to none. His 2019 season alone—during which he hit three home runs in the World Series to lead the Washington Nationals to a surprising championship—cemented his place as one of the game’s elite hitters. His disciplined approach at the plate, reminiscent of Barry Bonds, allows him to punish pitches in the strike zone precisely.
The $765 million guarantee Soto received in this deal dwarfs the $700 million that the Los Angeles Dodgers gave to two-way star Shohei Ohtani in 2023. While Ohtani’s contract features a substantial 97% deferral of salary, Soto’s deal includes no deferred money, significantly increasing the net present value of his contract and solidifying his position as the highest-paid player in professional sports history.
The Mets were determined to lock down Soto after a month-long negotiation process that included multiple rounds of bidding and face-to-face meetings. Agent Scott Boras leveraged Soto’s marketability and talent to drive the price of the deal to extraordinary heights. The completion of this contract also vindicates Soto’s bold decision in 2022 to reject a 15-year, $440 million offer from the Washington Nationals, the team that originally signed him out of the Dominican Republic at the age of 16.
Soto’s journey to this point has been filled with twists and turns. After debuting with the Nationals in 2018 as a 19-year-old prodigy, Soto quickly became a key figure in the team’s success, including their World Series victory in 2019. However, after rejecting the Nationals’ offers to extend him, Soto was traded to the San Diego Padres in one of the most significant deals in MLB history. Following a brief stint in San Diego, Soto was traded again—this time to the New York Yankees for a substantial package of young players.
During his time with the Yankees in 2023, Soto returned to his elite form. He posted a career-high 41 home runs and led the American League in runs scored with 128. His .288 batting average and .569 slugging percentage highlighted his power and plate discipline, which continued to grow throughout the season. In the postseason, Soto elevated his game, slashing .327/.469/.633 with four home runs and 12 runs scored, including a clutch extra-inning home run that propelled the Yankees into the World Series.
The timing of Soto’s free agency couldn’t have been better. Two of the most influential contracts in MLB history, those of Alex Rodríguez and Shohei Ohtani, set the stage for Soto’s massive payday. Rodríguez’s $252 million contract in 2000 set a new bar for player salaries, and Ohtani’s historic deal with the Dodgers only further fueled the anticipation around Soto’s potential contract.
Before Soto’s deal, the longest contract in baseball history belonged to Fernando Tatis Jr., who signed a 14-year deal with the Padres in 2021. Soto’s contract breaks that record and represents the Mets’ commitment to securing the remainder of his prime years—along with any milestones he may achieve on his way to a Hall of Fame career.
Soto’s resume is already impressive. He is a four-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger, and a World Series champion. He has won a batting title, a Home Run Derby, and is widely regarded as one of the most complete hitters in the game. His career on-base percentage (.421) is the highest in baseball since his debut, while his .953 OPS ranks among the top four in the sport. His 769 career walks are the most ever for a player through their age-25 season, surpassing even the legendary Mickey Mantle.
Soto’s sustained excellence has allowed him to thrive under the arbitration system, making $54 million over the past two seasons. Combined with the new $765 million deal, Soto stands to earn $379 million more than he would have if he had accepted the Nationals’ final extension offer. As his agent Scott Boras put it, “You cannot base a centurion player’s value on other players. You have to base it on financial markets.”
The baseball world has now witnessed the largest deal in professional sports history, and it belongs to Juan Soto. With this historic contract, Soto solidifies his place among the all-time greats, and the Mets are primed to build a championship-caliber team around him for the next 15 years.