Explained: How big is Juan Soto's contract with New York Mets

The 26-year-old exceptional hitter surpasses several elite athletes in terms of earnings.

Juan Soto’s signing for the New York Mets created ripples across Major League Baseball for several reasons. The outfit secured the services of the superstar, who has made the All-Stars Game with three different teams in three different seasons, by offering record-breaking contract terms. 

Consequently, the Mets have become the envy of the MLS and the breakdown of Soto’s contract with the outfit reveals the magnitude of the deal. Both parties have agreed on a 15-year, $765 million contract, by far the biggest offered in the history of the MLS. 

The Contract

Juan Soto’s contract surpasses Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the previous highest deal in the history of Major League Baseball. This is a contract that contains a complete no-trade clause, a signing bonus of $75 million, and no deferred money. On the other hand, 97% of the money in Ohtani’s contract was deferred, leaving the deal to be worth $461 million approx. 

Further exploration into Juan Soto’s deal suggests that the overall value of the deal could rise to $805 million if the Mets increase the player’s Average Annual Value (AAV) from $51 million to $53 million, after voiding Soto’s opt-out clause following the 2029 season. 

Juan Soto’s $765 million deal which could rise to $805 million is by far the biggest in sports history. While his Average Annual Value may not eclipse other elite athletes, the duration of the contract stands as a testament to his skill and the belief of the Mets in his capabilities.

Among the Elite

Juan Soto’s contract holds its position as one of the most lucrative deals in the history of sports. Over in the National Football League (NFL), the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes leads the pack after signing a 10-year, $450 million extension in 2020.

Popular figures from the National Basketball Association (NBA), such as Lebron James and Stephen Curry, earn approximately $55.8 million and $50.7 million, respectively, per season (Soto would initially earn $51 million AAV). Since there is no maximum limit on baseball contracts, players can sign longer deals.

Notable footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi hold a legendary status in their sport. In line with their reputation, both of them have signed extremely lucrative deals in their respective careers. The former signed for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia for 2.5 years in 2023 where he earns approximately $536 million. As for the latter, his most expensive deal was with FC Barcelona, signed in 2017 for four years which netted him a total of $674 million.

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