Juan Soto signs largest deal in sports history by agreeing to join the New York Mets for $765m

Juan Soto’s free agency saga has finally come to an end as the 26-year-old signed a $765 million deal with the New York Mets, according to a report.

Both New York teams, the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, competed with the Los Angeles Dodgers to sign the slugger, who hit 41 home runs for the Yankees in the 2024 regular season before heading to free agency.

But the multi-million dollar dogfight for his signature has finally come to an end after the Dominican star was finally crowned the winner on Sunday night.

According to multiple reports, Soto has left the Bronx for the Yankees’ cross-town rival, the New York Mets.

The contract marks the largest deal in the history of professional sports, surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s blockbuster involvement with the Dodgers last year.

And, unlike the Japanese two-time star’s deal, not a cent of Soto’s contract with the Mets will be deferred, with the contract having the potential to exceed $800 million, according to Jeff Passan.

Soto left the Yankees’ rivals, the New York Mets (photo: owner Steve Cohen)

Ohtani’s $700 million deal included $680 million in deferred payments and is valued at just under $46.1 million for baseball’s luxury tax purposes.

Soto can opt out after the fifth year (2029) or receive a pay increase of $4 million per season – from $51 million to $55 million – for the remainder of the contract, according to Jorge Castillo.

Meanwhile, Soto’s deal also surpasses Fernando Tatis Jr.’s 14-year contract. with San Diego worth $340 million, running until 2034.

The outfielder was a crucial member of the Yankees’ lineup last season, steering the Pinstripes to the World Series along with Aaron Judge.

And Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone and co. had reportedly been desperate to bring him back to the Bronx to launch a new offensive in the championship series.

But just over a month after their heartbreak, which saw them lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games, their superstardom slipped through their fingers.

Their offer of $760 million over sixteen years was not enough to prevent Soto from leaving one New York neighborhood for another.

Soto hit .288 with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs and 129 walks, ranking second in the batting order ahead of Judge, powering an offense that led the Major Leagues with 237 home runs.

The Yankees’ reported offer of $760 million over 16 years wasn’t enough to keep Soto from leaving

The outfielder was a crucial member of the Yankees’ lineup last season under Aaron Judge

Soto hit .288 with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs and 129 walks, ranking second in the batting order

The contract marks the largest deal in the history of professional sports, beating that of Shohei Ohtani

He hit a go-ahead homer in the AL Championship Series opener against Cleveland and a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the pennant-winning 10th inning against the Guardians in Game 5.

A four-time All-Star at 26, Soto is the most accomplished free agent at that age since shortstop Alex Rodriguez agreed to a record 10-year, $252 million contract with Texas in December 2000 at the age of 25.

Soto had 41 home runs to go with an impressive .418 on-base percentage and a league-best 128 runs scored last year, all of which makes him one of the most coveted free agents in baseball history.

Soto had reportedly met with the Yankees, Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.

Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, asked teams to submit initial offers before Thanksgiving and says Soto has started leaving clubs out of consideration.

“He just has a lot of information to process,” Boras said Tuesday after the Los Angeles Dodgers’ press conference to introduce Blake Snell, another of his clients. ‘Juan is a very methodical thinker.’

Soto finished third in the AL MVP voting after hitting .288 with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs and 129 walks. He has a career average of .285 with 201 home runs, 592 RBIs and 769 walks over seven Major League seasons.

Soto was 19 when he made his major league debut with Washington in 2018 and the following year he helped the Nationals win the World Series, when he hit .282 with 34 home runs and 110 RBIs.

He turned down Washington’s offer of $440 million, 15 years in 2022 and was traded to San Diego in August. Following the death of Padres owner Peter Seidler, Soto was dealt to the Yankees in December 2023 and helped New York reach the World Series for the first time since 2009.