Juan Soto, an outfielder that began his star-studded career with the Washington Nationals, was the prized free agent heading into the offseason in Major League Baseball.
The Dominican All Star hit for a batting average of .288 in the regular season in 2024, notching 41 home runs and 109 RBIs. He was, in large part, the best performer on a New York Yankees 2024 team that came just several games short of a World Series title.
After spending 2018 through 2022 on the Washington Nationals, Soto ventured out West to sunny San Diego, California, where he teamed up with veteran all-star Manny Machado and others to form a formidable National League contending team.
Soto failed to win the World Series as a member of the Padres, and after failing to achieve a World Series win for the Yankees, is now headed to Big Apple’s New York Mets for what will most likely be the rest of his career.
At just 26-years-old, Soto’s contract will see him through age 41. The oldest position player to ever play in the MLB was 49 years and 29 days, achieved by Julio Franco. Franco astoundingly played in the Major Leagues from 1978 until 2007.
1) No Deferred Money In Soto’s Megadeal
When Shohei Ohtani signed his massive $700 Million contract last season, it went down as the largest contract in the history of sports. Soto’s deal will top the deal, and more impressively, as a position player.
Part of Ohtani’s deal included a large percentage of his earnings being deferred until after his retirement. The star pitcher makes just $2 Million per year from the Los Angeles Dodgers, opting to receive a majority of his money after his retirement.
Juan Soto will have no such setup.
Perhaps it’s the scars of Bobby Bonilla, but the Mets have opted to pay Soto upfront. No deferred money is included in the deal. The star outfielder will be paid his $765 Million over the next 15 years.
2) $75 Million Signing Bonus
Not only did Soto guarantee himself the full amount of his contract over the next fifteen years, but the savvy star also negotiated an upfront $75 Million for himself at the onset of the contract.
In addition to the $46 Million Soto will earn as a yearly salary, the star will receive a one-time payment of $75 Million, bringing his 2025 earning expectation beyond $120 Million.
Soto could opt to receive the money at once, or over several years. We are not 100% sure about which option the star has taken.
Either way, the Mets are in for a massive expense for many years to come.
3) Opt-Out Opportunity After 2029 Season
Being that the Mets found themselves in a bidding war with the New York Yankees over Soto’s services, one of the sweetheart terms in Soto’s deal includes an opt-out opportunity.
This opportunity will occur after the 2029 season, 5 years from now, and just one-third of the way though his 15-year deal.
Some have speculated that this opt-out may serve as an early end to the largest contract in sports history.
