Juan Soto, the dynamic 26-year-old Dominican baseball sensation, is poised to sign a historic deal that could redefine athlete salaries, reportedly agreeing to a $765 million (£600 million) contract with Major League Baseball's New York Mets over 15 years. While the Mets have yet to confirm the agreement, numerous sources in the United States have disclosed the major details, pending Soto completing a medical examination.
According to MLB sources, the contract will include a signing bonus of $75 million, with no deferred payment structures, making it a game-changer in sports compensation. If all conditions are met, the total value of Soto's deal could reach up to $800 million (£627 million). This surpasses the previous record of a $700 million (£558 million) deal signed by Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, which notably included $680 million (£541 million) in deferred payments.
Soto's impending contract marks the largest total value in professional sports, eclipsing previous record-setting agreements. For instance, NFL quarterback Dak Prescott recently signed a four-year extension worth approximately $240 million (£183 million). Similarly, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes previously held the record with a 10-year extension valued at $450 million. In the NBA, the Boston Celtics signed Jayson Tatum to a five-year extension worth about $314 million (£245 million), while soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr and Lionel Messi’s deal with Inter Miami also represent monumental financial commitments.
Before his time with the Mets, Soto was a free agent following a stint with the New York Yankees, where he played a significant role in leading the team to the 2024 World Series, ultimately losing to the LA Dodgers. The Yankees had made a competitive $760 million (£595 million) offer to re-sign him over 16 years; however, they were ultimately outbid by the Mets.
During the last regular season, Soto showcased extraordinary performance with a batting average of 0.288 over 157 games, achieving a personal milestone of 41 home runs and 109 RBIs. In the World Series, he maintained a batting average of 0.313, contributing one home run and one RBI to his team’s efforts.
Soto began his career with the Washington Nationals and played for the San Diego Padres before joining the Yankees. His career highlights include an impressive 936 regular-season games, where he has hit 201 home runs and garnered 592 RBIs with a batting average of 0.285, proving himself a vital asset and a formidable competitor in major league baseball.
