DALLAS (AP) — Agent Scott Boras celebrated a landmark moment after striking a historic 15-year contract worth $765 million for Juan Soto with the New York Mets. Shortly after the deal was announced, he arrived at Nick & Sam’s, a popular restaurant near the winter meetings hotel, accompanied by nearly a dozen staff members.
In a fitting tribute to the successful deal, they enjoyed a meal including deviled eggs, crab, shrimp, and a New York strip steak, toasting with a bottle of champagne. This was particularly noteworthy, as the Mets had outmaneuvered their rivals, the Yankees, to secure the All-Star outfielder.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was dining nearby, likened the scene to a scene from “Gladiator.” “Scott is coming with his army of personnel,” he remarked, watching the festivities unfold on a Sunday night.
Soto’s groundbreaking contract stands as the biggest and longest in baseball history, pending a physical examination. The Yankees, who had initially raised their offer to $760 million over 16 years from a previous $712.5 million for 15 years, were left reeling from the news.
“My first thought is that my oldest kid will be 28 once he’s done playing,” shared Buster Posey, president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants, reflecting on the magnitude of Soto’s contract.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone found out about Soto’s decision the moment his flight landed in Dallas. “As soon as the wheels touched the runway, I received an alert on my phone that he signed with the Mets,” Boone recalled, adding that he sent a confused emoji to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, a former Yankees coach.
Mendoza, unsure of Boone’s message, replied with another emoji, leading to some light-hearted confusion.
Soto’s deal includes a substantial $75 million signing bonus and could increase to $805 million if the Mets decide to void Soto’s opt-out clause after the 2029 season. Cincinnati manager Terry Francona expressed his surprise at the size of the bonus, acknowledging the ripple effects this deal could have on the overall player market. “This certainly raises the stakes,” he indicated, noting that smaller teams would need to be strategic as they navigate their own player contracts.
The implications of Soto’s contract extended beyond just one player, generating excitement in a competitive free agent market that also features notable pitchers like Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, and first basemen such as Pete Alonso and Christian Walker. “Every team is eager to finalize their rosters as quickly as they can, whether through trades or free agency,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman remarked.
Concerns about the financial power of Mets billionaire owner Steve Cohen linger among other teams, especially considering his commitment to spending heavily over the last two seasons. “Our goal is to win, and we have an owner dedicated to making it happen,” Mendoza stated.
While Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns chose not to comment directly on Soto’s contract due to its pending status, he noted the common offseason chatter about inflation in player salaries. “Each year, there’s a concern that players won’t get compensated fairly or won’t find jobs,” Stearns highlighted.
Many small-market teams have long advocated for a salary cap, yet since the strike of 1994-95, there has been a reluctance to impose strict limits for fear of igniting another work stoppage. The existing labor agreement is set to expire in December 2026.
Most teams found themselves unable to compete for Soto, emphasizing the need for creative approaches to roster management. Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro explained, “We must focus on assembling the best overall team, rather than singular star power. Soto will have a big impact at the plate, but there are strategies we can employ to offset that.”
At just 26 years old, Soto was instrumental in helping the Washington Nationals win the 2019 World Series before turning down a $440 million contract from the Nationals in 2022, leading to his subsequent trade to San Diego.
“I can proudly say that I’m the only manager who has led a team to a World Series title with him,” said Nationals manager Dave Martinez.
After being traded to the Yankees last December, Soto played a pivotal role in helping the team secure its first American League pennant since 2009, although they fell short against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
Boras requested final offers from teams on Saturday night, and Cashman emphasized the effort made by Hal Steinbrenner to retain Soto. “He is a unique player at a unique age,” Cashman noted. On Sunday night, Boras informed Cashman that Soto had chosen to sign with the Mets. Cashman then promptly relayed the news to Steinbrenner and team president Randy Levine.
Following Soto’s departure, Cashman reported a Zoom meeting with pitcher Blake Snell before he signed a five-year contract worth $182 million with the Dodgers. The general manager remains keen on Boras’ other clients, including Burnes and Bregman. “Whenever you have an opportunity, please let me know, and we can discuss what’s left in the market,” Cashman conveyed to Boras during their conversation.
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