NEW YORK. — Juan Soto, one of this generation’s finest hitters and the biggest prize of the offseason, has officially joined the New York Mets on a reported 15-year, $765 million contract, the Major League Baseball team confirmed on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).
Soto, who spent the 2024 season with the crosstown rival New York Yankees, is now the face of a Mets franchise seeking their first World Series title since 1986, and their championship odds have significantly improved since reports of the deal surfaced on Dec. 8.
“This is a seminal moment in franchise history,” Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement.
“Juan Soto is a generational talent. He is not only bringing staggering historical statistics with him but also a championship pedigree. Our Amazin’ fan base is very excited to welcome Juan to Queens. Congratulations, Juan.”
The contract, which was finalized Wednesday after a physical, contains a full no-trade clause, a $75 million signing bonus, an opt-out after five seasons and no deferred money, according to MLB.com.
It is the biggest contract in MLB history, eclipsing the 10-year, $700 million pact the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani to last winter.
A precocious hitting talent, the 26-year-old Soto enjoyed a career year with the Yankees in 2024 as he set career highs in a number of categories, including runs, hits, home runs, total bases and extra-base hits.
The Dominican slugger and four-time All-Star went on to finish third in American League MVP voting last month as Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge won the award in unanimous fashion.
The Yankees had acquired Soto last December as part of a blockbuster seven-player trade.
Soto and Judge formed a dynamic duo in the Bronx and helped power the Yankees to their first World Series appearance in 15 years. They lost to the Dodgers 4-1 in the best-of-seven championship series.
