The New York Mets and superstar outfielder Juan Soto have agreed on a 15-year, U$765 million (A$1.2b) contract, according to multiple reports. It is the largest contract in sports history.
The decision brings Soto, formerly of the Yankees, across town to Queens in a bold move by a franchise that has long been overshadowed by the Bronx Bombers.
ESPN first reported Soto’s decision to leave Yankee Stadium for Citi Field and free-spending Mets owner Steve Cohen — who shelled out an MLB-high U$341.8 million for his 40-man roster in the 2024 season, according to Baseball Prospectus data.
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It is the biggest investment yet by Cohen, who hasn’t been shy about opening his chequebook.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor is playing under a 10-year, $341 million contract. Cohen had shelled out U$130 million for Max Scherzer and U$86.7 million for Justin Verlander before he shipped both of the big-name pitchers away in 2023.
This season, the Mets rallied from a 24-35 start to make the playoffs and push the eventual world champion Los Angeles Dodgers to Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.
The NL East club had a strong offence, scoring 768 runs, the seventh most in baseball. Soto’s arrival should strengthen the Mets’ offence or at least lessen the blow of possibly losing first baseman Pete Alonso to free agency.
Soto’s departure could be major setback for the AL-champion Yankees, who lost the World Series in five games to the Dodgers in October.
The Yankees had baseball’s No. 3 offence this year, scoring 815 runs with a top-heavy lineup that’s now suddenly without a key contributor.
Soto drove in 109 runs for the Yankees, making for a powerful trio with American League MVP Aaron Judge (144) and Giancarlo Stanton (72).