OAN Staff James Myers
2pm – Monday, December 9, 2024
The New York Mets have signed the top free agent on the market to a record-breaking contract.
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On Sunday night, Juan Soto agreed to a record 15-year contract with the Mets worth $765 million. This is the largest contract in the history of professional sports.
The massive deal includes an opt-out after five years and no funding deferrals, the people said. If Soto opts out, the Mets can void his final 10 seasons by increasing his salary by $4 million, from $51 million to $55 million, for a total of $805 million.
In addition, the deal includes a signing bonus of $75 million, according to sources.
The 26-year-old will join All-Star Francisco Lindor in the lineup, giving the team a powerful one-two punch that could potentially be the best in baseball.
Last season, Soto was part of another deep roster for the New York Yankees, teaming with All-Star Aaron Judge to lead the team to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
Sources say the Yankees are also making a huge offer, with managing partner Hal Steinbrenner increasing his offer to $760 million over 16 years, which is more than the team wants before the 2023 season. That's more than double what Judge was given in free agency (nine years, $360 million). .
Soto hit a career-high 41 home runs and batted .288 for the Yankees last season.
The World Series champions were traded to the Yankees during last year's winter meetings from the San Diego Padres (with Trent Grisham) for Michael King, Kyle Higashioka, Johnny Brito, Drew Thorpe and Randy Vasquez.
Soto will be slotted into right field in the batting lineup alongside Mark Vienos and Brandon Nimmo. The Mets lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, so their World Series hopes will be high.
Signing Soto will allow the Mets to focus on re-signing free agent first baseman Pete Alonso, who has repeatedly said he wants to remain with the Mets.
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