Juan Soto has signed a jaw-dropping 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, marking the largest deal in professional sports history
New York: So, the Juan Soto saga is finally over! Late Sunday night, the superstar outfielder signed a jaw-dropping 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. Can you believe it? That’s the biggest deal in professional sports history!
This contract is massive, and it even has an opt-out after five years. Plus, there are escalators that could push Soto’s earnings over $800 million. It’s a crazy amount, but Soto’s talent makes it somewhat justifiable. He’s got a career WAR of 36 and a solid batting average of .285.
Now, this deal will keep Soto with the Mets until he’s 41. That’s not too wild for a player with his skills. He’s a batting champion, a four-time All-Star, and a World Series champ. He’s got a knack for hitting, so it’s exciting to see how he’ll perform in New York.
But what does this mean for his fantasy value? Honestly, not much will change. Soto has consistently hit over .275 and driven in 95 runs or more in almost every full season. The only question is how the Mets will fill out their lineup around him. Will they bring back Pete Alonso? That could really impact Soto’s RBI numbers.
Even if the Mets don’t have the strongest lineup, it’s hard to see Soto’s production dropping. He’s always stolen a handful of bases, and while his home run numbers might dip a bit moving to Citi Field, he’s still a solid bet for mid-30s home runs and a high on-base percentage.
Interestingly, Soto has actually performed well at Citi Field in the past. In just 35 games there, he’s hit 12 home runs and has an OPS of 1.175. So, it’s not all doom and gloom for his power numbers.
As for the Mets, they’re not stopping here. Owner Steve Cohen is all in on winning a World Series, and he’s got the cash to make it happen. The big question now is what they’ll do at first base. Bringing back Alonso seems likely, but they could also explore other options.
This signing is a game-changer for the Mets lineup. Soto hitting behind Francisco Lindor could lead to more opportunities for both players. And for the Yankees, it means Aaron Judge can return to right field, which is a win-win.
However, not everyone benefits. Starling Marte might find himself on the outside looking in, especially with Soto joining the team. The Mets could also look to trade him, given his injury history.
Overall, fantasy managers should feel good about Soto’s situation. He’s been consistent, and the Mets are likely to keep adding talent. Expect him to remain a top player in fantasy leagues for years to come!