The contract with a $51 million average annual worth does not include any deferrals but has an opt-out clause after 2029. However, the Mets can void his possible opt-out if they raise his annual average from $51 million to $55 million for the final 10 years of the contract.
Soto's deal now eclipses Shohei Ohtani's 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which previously held the record.
But that's not to say the New York Yankees didn't try to convince Soto to come back to the Bronx.
Soto is coming off an impactful season with the Yankees, setting career highs in both home runs (41) and runs (128). The four-time all-star finished third in AL MVP voting this year and took home a Silver Slugger award.
Soto's .421 career on-base percentage is the best in all of baseball since entering the league in 2018. He hit a slash line of .288/.419 /.569/.989, which was his best year of hitting since 2021, the same year he was second in NL MVP voting.
Soto was also second in the entire MLB in walks (129), just behind now-former teammate Aaron Judge. His 41 home runs were fourth in the league while his 109 RBI ranked sixth. His 128 runs were second to NL MVP Ohtani's 134.
The New York Mets continue to rake in free agency, adding Soto to a growing list of big names. The young power hitter will be joining his Yankees teammate Clay Holmes, who signed a three-year, $38 million deal with the Mets a couple of days ago.
New York also has Francisco Lindor's 10-year, $341 million on their payroll now as well, looking to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the highest payroll in all of baseball.