Juan Soto celebrated his record-breaking contract with the New York Mets in style on Sunday night.
The 26-year-old slugger signed a monumental 15-year deal worth $ 765 million with the Mets after an exciting free agency period, coming off a standout season with the Yankees. This contract not only represents the largest in professional sports history, eclipsing Shohei Ohtani’s massive deal with the Dodgers, but also reinforces Soto’s position as one of the top talents in the game.
Soto made sure to celebrate in a big way, hosting a lively party with friends and family. In a video shared by his brother Elian, a minor leaguer with the Nationals, Soto is shown in a hot tub, joyfully exclaiming about his new contract. At one point, a friend poured beer over him while he raised his arms in triumph.
By the age of 26, Juan Soto has already been named an All-Star four times, making him the most accomplished free agent of his age since Alex Rodriguez signed a $ 252 million, 10-year deal with the Texas Rangers at 25. Soto’s impressive 2024 season featured 41 home runs, a .418 on-base percentage, and a league-leading 128 runs scored, establishing him as one of the most coveted players in baseball history.
The battle for Soto’s services was intense, with the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Dodgers all in pursuit of the Dominican star. Soto significantly contributed to the Yankees last season, forming a powerful partnership with Aaron Judge and helping the team reach the World Series. Although the Yankees offered him $ 760 million over 16 years to stay, the Mets’ jaw-dropping offer was too appealing to decline.
Soto’s performance with the Yankees was nothing short of exceptional: he posted a .288 batting average, hit 41 home runs, drove in 109 RBIs, and drew 129 walks. He played a crucial role in the team’s playoff run, hitting important home runs in both the AL Championship Series and the game that clinched the pennant against Cleveland.
Since making his debut with the Nationals at just 19, Soto has built a remarkable career. He was instrumental in Washington’s victory in the World Series in 2019 and famously turned down a $ 440 million contract offer from the Nationals in 2022, which led to his trade to San Diego. After a short stint with the Padres, he joined the Yankees in late 2023 and is now embarking on a new chapter with the Mets.
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