Juan Soto, Mets agree on $765 million deal in MLB free agency
The New York Mets would not be denied in their pursuit of Juan Soto
Heading into the MLB Winter Meetings, there was every indication that the New York Mets were going to come in with the top offer for free agent slugger Juan Soto.
It seems those reports were accurate.
According to multiple baseball insiders, Soto has agreed to a staggering contract with the Mets. Per Jeff Passan, the deal is for 15 years, and contains a $765 million contract. As Passan notes here, it is the largest deal in professional sports history:
BREAKING: Superstar outfielder Juan Soto and the New York Mets are in agreement on a 15-year, $765 million contract, sources tell ESPN. It is the largest deal in professional sports history.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2024
But that is not all. According to a subsequent message from Passan, Soto’s contract does not include any deferred money, and also contains escalators that could push the value of the deal to $800 million:
Juan Soto's 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets includes no deferred money, according to sources, and has escalators that can reach above $800 million.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2024
The deal comes in above the Los Angeles Dodgers’ deal with Shohei Ohtani last off-season, which was worth $700 million over ten years. However, Ohtani deferred $680 million of that contract, while according to reports Soto’s deal has no deferred money.
As noted, baseball insiders believed that Mets owner Steve Cohen would not be out-bid for Soto’s services, as the organization looks to get back to the World Series for the first time since 2015, and to win the World Series for the first time since 1986. Soto’s left-handed swing seems to mesh well with Citi Field, as in his 35 games at his new home he has posted a slash line of .333/.466/.709 with 12 home runs, for an OPS of 1.175.
Is that worth up to $800 million?
We are about to find out.