In a groundbreaking move for the baseball world, Juan Soto has reportedly signed a historic 15-year contract valued at $765 million with the New York Mets, as confirmed by a reliable anonymous source. This deal, reached late Sunday night, is pending the completion of a successful physical examination prior to its official announcement. Soto’s contract stands as the most lucrative in sports history, eclipsing the previous high mark set by Shohei Ohtani.
This latest contract marks the 12th occasion in Major League Baseball where a player has secured a deal worth at least $325 million. Notable contracts include the previously mentioned Soto deal and figures for other major players that reflect all guaranteed earnings, excluding potential bonuses. The contracts featuring substantial monetary values include:
Juan Soto, N.Y. Mets, 2025-2039, $765 million
Shohei Ohtani, L.A. Dodgers, 2024-2033, $700 million
Soto’s massive agreement outstrips Ohtani’s $700 million deal, which had a portion of the money deferred over several years. Ohtani’s contract includes substantial deferred payments, which contribute to the complexities in its valuation for different accounting purposes. In Ohtani’s inaugural year under this agreement, he not only clinched a World Series title but also won his third MVP award, having a stellar season with an average of .310, leading the league with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and establishing himself as a historic 50-50 player.
Other significant contracts include:
Mike Trout, L.A. Angels, 2019-2030, $426.5 million
Mookie Betts, L.A. Dodgers, 2021-2032, $365 million
Aaron Judge, N.Y. Yankees, 2023-2031, $360 million
Trout’s massive contract has been marred by injuries, with only 266 games played over the last four seasons. He has recorded impressive stats with a .281 batting average and 138 home runs. Meanwhile, Betts has been crucial to the Dodgers’ recent successes, consistently putting up robust numbers and contributing to their 2020 and 2024 championships.
Judge, having taken on a leadership role as the Yankees’ captain after securing his deal, has shown strong performance, including a .300 batting average alongside a staggering 95 homers during the early years of his contract, helping the Yankees to a World Series appearance.
Other notable contracts comprise:
Manny Machado, San Diego, 2023-2033, $350 million
Francisco Lindor, N.Y. Mets, 2022-2031, $341 million
Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego, 2021-2034, $340 million
Bryce Harper, Philadelphia, 2019-2031, $330 million
Giancarlo Stanton, Miami/New York Yankees, 2015-2027, $325 million
Corey Seager, Texas, 2022-2031, $325 million
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, L.A. Dodgers, 2024-2035, $325 million
Machado has continued to provide impressive statistics and remained a valuable asset for the Padres. Lindor, having made an impact since joining the Mets, has yet to add to his All-Star appearances in New York, while Tatis Jr. is still recovering from setbacks since his record-breaking deal. Harper was sidelined for early 2023 but has made significant contributions to the Phillies upon his return.
Corey Seager played a pivotal role in leading the Texas Rangers to their first title in 2023, displaying excellent performance metrics throughout his contract. Meanwhile, Yamamoto made headlines for his record-setting pitcher contract that reflects his promising potential.
The evolving dynamics of Major League Baseball continue to showcase substantial financial investments in player talent, highlighting the high stakes associated with elite performance on the field.