Juan Soto and the Mets have come to agreement on a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal. This deal has already stunned opposing teams.
The Deal
The New York Mets have made their biggest acquisition of the offseason on the offensive side. On Sunday, the Mets and OF Juan Soto reportedly agreed to a 15-year deal worth a staggering $765 million. This deal of player and team was expected, given how aggressively owner Steve Cohen approached the process. By the way it’s looking, New York certainly has found its next superstar. This is just the beginning for this Mets team who look hungrier and more motivated than ever. Signing a talented player like Soto is a great start, but there’s still more work to do this offseason.
Soto is coming off a really excellent season during his time with the New York Yankees. In 157 games played, he slashed .288/.419/.569 along with a career-best OPS+ of 179 in a full season. He also managed to hit 41 homers along with 109 RBI. His 41 homers are also a career high. What’s even better about a guy like Soto is that he hits well at Citi Field, which is something to keep an eye on. In 35 games and 146 plate appearances there, he has managed to slash .333/.466/.709.
Why The Deal Could Work for Both Sides
There are plenty of reasons to believe why this deal could work for both sides. One of the reasons it could work is due to experience. Juan does have some familiarity when it comes to playing in the NL East, which is no surprise. He played for the Washington Nationals, who are considered to be divisional rivals with the Mets. During his five-year tenure with the Nationals, Soto managed to slash .291/.427/.538. He even won a World Series with them in 2019. But what is most impressive is his age. He became the youngest player in the league to win the World Series at the time.
His experience of playing in New York is another thing. Soto has already played with one New York team already. Transitioning to playing for another team in the city shouldn’t be an issue. He knows what the pressure is like when it comes to playing for a big-market team. Soto has dealt with intense media scrutiny, packed stadiums filled with passionate fans, and he has faced the sky-high expectations that come with representing New York. Despite these challenges, he has consistently delivered standout performances, proving that he thrives under the spotlight. His familiarity with the city’s culture and fan base could make him an even stronger asset to his new team.
Another reason why it could make sense is due to providing the team with an elite dynamic talent. At just 26 years old, Soto already boasts a Hall of Fame-worthy trajectory, with his uncanny ability to combine power hitting, plate discipline, and situational awareness. Few players in baseball can match his consistency and productivity, especially in high-leverage situations. New York hopes he can shine here for the next 15 years in Mets uniform.
What’s Next
After acquiring Soto, the Mets do need to address some other needs. One of their other needs is figuring out their first base situation. Right now, 1B Pete Alonso is currently a free agent. It’s unclear how New York is going to fix their problem. The signing of Soto has made it difficult financially to bring back Alonso, who has been a fan favorite in the last couple of years. Then you also got the starting rotation as well. What are the Mets going to do with the rotation based on the way it’s looking now? New York has already lost one starter to the free agency market, and that is RHP Luis Severino. They have already signed SP Frankie Montas but need more help on the mound.
Is David Stearns going to go after starter RHP Corbin Burnes? If they do go after him, it won’t be surprising. Stearns did draft Burnes during their days with the Milwaukee Brewers, so there’s a relationship in place. But if signing Burnes doesn’t work out, they can also turn to other pitchers, such as RHP Walker Buehler. Though it would be risky to sign him, it would still be worth a try on a one-year deal and see what happens from there.
Regardless of where the Mets go from here, they have already dramatically improved their lineup by handing out the largest contract in sports history.
Featured Articles
Featured Writers
