Juan Soto Shocks Yankees by Signing Record-Breaking $765 Million Deal with Rival Mets
The New York Yankees pulled out all the stops to retain superstar outfielder Juan Soto, but their efforts fell short in a historic bidding war. What many anticipated as a fierce showdown among powerhouse teams like the Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets has officially concluded.
Soto, a five-time Silver Slugger, accepted an unprecedented offer that will go down in sports history. As first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post on Sunday night and confirmed by multiple sources, Soto inked a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets—the largest contract in sports history, surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason.
The Yankees reportedly offered $760 million, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, but Mets owner Steve Cohen’s final bid secured the most coveted free agent in sports.
With Soto’s decision finalized, the dominoes in the free-agent market are expected to fall quickly. One looming question is the future of Mets fan-favorite Pete Alonso, another high-value free agent. The Mets may now face payroll constraints that could lead to Alonso exploring other teams, and the Yankees—seeking to fill a gap at first base—may become a top contender for his services.
Meanwhile, the Yankees’ backup plan to target former Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames fell through when the San Francisco Giants signed him to a seven-year, $182 million deal Saturday night. The Yankees must now pivot their strategy to address the significant holes in their roster.
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