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Juan Soto’s $765M and the New York Mets have reportedly agreed to a groundbreaking 15-year, $765 million contract, marking the largest deal in sports history. The agreement, which spans the 2025-2039 seasons, surpassed Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the L.A. Dodgers, making Soto’s deal the most lucrative in Major League Baseball. Notably, Soto’s deal is free of deferred payments, ensuring that the full value is paid out within the contract’s term. This comes after Soto turned down a $440 million offer from Washington in 2022, before being traded to San Diego and eventually reaching free agency at just 26 years old.
Juan Soto’s $765M is part of a larger trend of record-breaking contracts in MLB, with several players securing massive paydays. The deal solidifies Soto’s status as one of the sport’s brightest stars. His contract joins other high-value deals, such as those of Shohei Ohtani ($700 million), Mike Trout ($426.5 million), Mookie Betts ($365 million), and Aaron Judge ($360 million). Soto’s agreement also makes him the most accomplished free agent at such a young age since Alex Rodriguez’s historic 10-year, $252 million contract with Texas in 2000.
In addition to Soto’s massive deal, other players have signed lucrative contracts in recent years. For instance, Ohtani’s deal with the Dodgers includes a unique structure, with $680 million in deferred payments scheduled from 2034 to 2043, causing the contract’s value to be calculated differently for tax purposes. Meanwhile, Mike Trout, despite injury struggles, continues to perform at a high level under his $426.5 million extension with the L.A. Angels, signed in 2019.
Juan Soto’s $765M Other notable contracts include Mookie Betts’ $365 million deal with the Dodgers, Aaron Judge’s $360 million deal with the Yankees, and Francisco Lindor’s $341 million deal with the Mets. Manny Machado’s $470 million over 14 seasons with the Padres, as well as Bryce Harper’s $330 million with the Phillies, further contribute to the growing trend of MLB players securing historic contracts.
Among the newest additions to this elite list is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who signed a $325 million contract with the L.A. Dodgers in December 2023. This contract set a new record for pitchers, making Yamamoto the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history.
These contracts reflect not only the financial power of MLB teams but also the increasing emphasis on securing top talent for long-term success. With the market continuing to rise, it will be interesting to see how the next generation of stars, like Soto, continue to redefine the value of elite players in Major League Baseball.
