The New York Mets have reportedly signed superstar outfielder Juan Soto, who is fending off competition from the cross-town rival Yankees, in a deal worth $765 million, the richest contract in sports history.
There has been speculation for weeks about where the 26-year-old free agent would land, with the Mets, Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays among the frontrunners. Some believed he would stay with the Yankees, whom he helped to the World Series last season, but the Mets, led by multibillionaire Steve Cohen, the richest owner in baseball, had too much on the table.
A four-time All-Star, Soto was a rare commodity in Major League Baseball: a superstar who reached free agency while still in his mid-20s. By the time his contract expires, he will be in his 40s. While it’s unlikely that a player who is already a limited outfielder will be a major force by the time his contract expires, his ability is now undeniable. In the 2024 season, he hit a career-high 41 home runs and trailed only his Yankees teammate Aaron Judge in on-base percentage in the majors.