The Boston Red Sox certainly made a strong push for Juan Soto before the superstar outfielder reportedly agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets.
MassLive.com’s Sean McAdam reported Sunday night, citing a source, that Boston’s last and best offer to Soto was worth around $700 million over 15 years.
The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier also reported, citing multiple sources, that the Red Sox offered at least $700 million to Soto.
The average annual value of the Red Sox’s reported offer (around $46 million) obviously pales in comparison to what Soto landed from the Mets ($51 million AAV), but it’s nevertheless a hefty offer that reflects Boston’s aggressiveness in pursuing the four-time All-Star. It would have been by far the largest contract in Red Sox history.
All told, Soto’s deal with the Mets is the largest contract in the history of professional sports. The deal, first reported by the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, includes no deferred money and has escalators that can push the contract above $800 million, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported Soto’s contract includes a $75 million signing bonus, while the New York Post’s Joel Sherman added the deal includes an opt-out after the fifth season.
To categorize this investment as significant would be the ultimate understatement, but Soto is undeniably one of the best players in baseball and on a Hall of Fame track. He’s also just 26 years old, meaning he’s firmly in his prime with plenty of excellent baseball left.
Soto finished third in American League MVP voting in 2024. He posted a .288/.419/.569 slash line with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs in his lone season with the New York Yankees. The Dominican Republic native spent parts of five seasons with the Washington Nationals and two seasons with the San Diego Padres before landing in the Bronx.
The Red Sox indicated they plan to be active this offseason after missing the playoffs for a third straight season. Signing Soto would have completely changed the complexion of Boston’s lineup, but the Red Sox still can make waves before Opening Day, especially with a few high-upside starting pitchers available via free agency or trade.
