Juan Soto reportedly breaks Shohei Ohtani’s record with monster $765M deal with Mets
Juan Soto Breaks Records with $765 Million Deal, Joins the New York Mets
Juan Soto has officially redefined the upper limits of sports contracts, agreeing to a historic 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets. This groundbreaking agreement, reported by MLB insiders such as Jon Heyman and Jeff Passan, now stands as the richest known deal in sports history. The contract not only surpasses the staggering $700 million deal Shohei Ohtani signed last offseason but also sets new benchmarks in Major League Baseball (MLB) for length, total value, and flexibility.
Breaking Records and Setting New Standards
Soto’s deal features a unique structure that highlights its unprecedented nature. Unlike Ohtani’s contract, which included significant deferred payments, Soto’s agreement ensures full payment upfront, with no deferrals. Additionally, escalators built into the contract could potentially push its total value to an astonishing $800 million. The agreement also grants Soto an opt-out clause after five years, a feature the Mets can negate by increasing his average annual salary from $51 million to $55 million for the final 10 years.
This contract surpasses the previous MLB record for length, previously held by Fernando Tatis Jr.’s 14-year, $340 million deal with the San Diego Padres. In total value, it eclipses Ohtani’s record, establishing Soto as the highest-paid athlete in terms of guaranteed money in sports history.
Why Juan Soto is Worth the Price
At 26 years old, Soto enters free agency as one of the most accomplished young players ever to hit the open market. Over seven MLB seasons, Soto has built a résumé worthy of the Hall of Fame, with a career OPS+ of 160—placing him alongside legendary names such as Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, and Hank Aaron before turning 26. His batting prowess, characterized by exceptional plate discipline and raw power, is often compared to Ted Williams, making him a generational talent.
Soto’s 2024 season with the Yankees reinforced his elite status. In 713 plate appearances, he posted a .288 batting average, a .419 on-base percentage, a .569 slugging percentage, and hit 41 home runs. His postseason performance was equally remarkable, hitting .313/.522/.563 during the Yankees’ World Series run.
