In a historic move for the franchise, the Mets have struck a deal with Soto worth $765 million over 15 years ($51 million AAV), Jon Heyman of The New York Post first reported. The contract includes an opt-out after Year 5 and does not have any deferrals, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
It is the largest contract in team history, sliding shortstop Francisco Lindor's 10-year, $341 million down to second.
The move is monumental both in cost and in shifting the narrative that has haunted the Mets since their World Series run in 1986. No longer are the Amazins the sure-fire second team in New York, after a memorable postseason run in 2024, signing Soto suddenly makes the Mets the team to beat in the City.
Soto has already proven he can handle the pressure cooker that is New York City. In his first season with the Yankees, the five-time Silver Slugger enjoyed the best 162-game season of his career. In 157 games, he slashed .288/.419/.569 and posted career highs in hits (156), run scored (128), home runs (41) and OPS+ (178).
It was a season that saw him earn his fourth All-Star nod and marked his return to the World Series for the first time since 2019. Though the Yankees failed to win the World Series, with the Mets, Soto hopes to bring the city its first title since 2009, the Mets' first since 1986.
The move drastically improves the Mets' roster, adding protection to its lineup and finally providing defacto captain Francisco Lindor with a second superstar to rely on.
Soto will immediately occupy right field while also seeing some time as the designated hitter. Here's how the Mets lineup could look with their latest addition:
Alonso is still on the market and likely not returning after the Soto signing. He has indicated that he prefers to be a lifelong Met, and with a potentially softer market than Alonso expected, a return isn't out of the question -- the team is better with him in the lineup.
Should he sign elsewhere, however, Vientos would likely slide into first base while Starling Marte, who would be the odd man out with Soto on the team, occupies the DH spot.