Learn more details and curious facts about this historic contract.
Historic record! Last Monday, Dominican player Juan Soto made history by signing the largest contract in the sport with the New York Mets: 15 years and $765 million. Soto reached a 15-year deal to join Puerto Rican star Francisco Lindor.
Soto joins a select group of Latino players with contracts above $300 million, including Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Rafael Devers.
⚾️ The contracts
$765 million: Juan Soto – New York Mets
$700 million: Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers
$426 million: Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels
$365 million: Mookie Betts – Los Angeles Dodgers
$360 million: Aaron Judge – New York Yankees
The contract of "Childish Bambino," Juan Soto's nickname for his resemblance to Babe Ruth, is unique: it can increase from $765 million to $805 million if the Mets raise his salary from $51 million to $55 million per year after 2029. It has no deferred payments, includes a $75 million signing bonus and a suite at Citi Field for him and his family, valued at $500,000 per year.
— LasMayores (@LasMayores) December 11, 2024
Two years ago, Soto turned down a $440 million contract with the Washington Nationals. His annual salary is three times the Miami Marlins' 2024 payroll, which was $14.4 million.
Soto's career will continue to shape the sport in this new chapter in New York. It is, without question, the beginning of one of the most memorable careers in the sport.
📈 The largest contracts in sports history:
$765 million: Juan Soto – New York Mets
$700 million: Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers
$674 million: Lionel Messi – Barcelona
$440 million: Cristiano Ronaldo – Al-Nassr
$450 million: Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
What are some of Soto's achievements in MLB?
4x All-Star Games (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
5x Silver Sluggers (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
1x Home Run Derby champion in 2022,
1x World Series ring in 2019 with the Washington Nationals
What is the largest contract in history for a Puerto Rican player?
Players Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa hold the largest contracts for Puerto Rican athletes:
Carlos Correa: $200 million over 6 years with the Minnesota Twins. Annual salary: $33.3 million.
Cover photo: Getty
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
