Juan Soto has finally achieved what many thought was impossible two and a half years ago – signing the largest contract in North American sports history. The 26-year-old outfielder will earn an average annual value of $51 million over 15 years with the New York Mets, surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking deal.
Soto bet on himself, despite initial doubts from fans and owners. He opted out of a $440 million, 15-year extension with the Washington Nationals to pursue his own path. The decision paid off, as he surpassed the Nationals’ offer by more than $325 million.
The new contract includes no deferrals, meaning Soto will receive nearly $300 million more than any other MLB player has on a single deal. His career OPS is already one of the highest in history, and his impressive stats only grew stronger after leaving the Nationals.
Soto’s decision to turn down the Nationals’ offer was met with skepticism from those close to him, including some family members. However, he persevered, adapting to a new team and finding success with the Yankees last season. The free-agent frenzy surrounding Soto fueled speculation about his destination, but his latest move cements his status as one of baseball’s top players.
Source: https://www.si.com/mlb/juan-soto-self-confidence-record-mlb-contract-new-york-mets