FLUSHING, N.Y., – The New York Mets have announced the signing of outfielder Juan Soto to a 15-year major league contract, with a club option and a contingent player opt-out after the 2029 season.
Statements from the Mets
Steve and Alex Cohen, Mets Owners: “This is a seminal moment in franchise history. Juan Soto is a generational talent, bringing not only staggering historical statistics but also a championship pedigree. Our Amazin’ fan base is excited to welcome Juan to Queens. Congratulations, Juan.”
David Stearns, President of Baseball Operations: “Today’s signing further solidifies our organizational commitment to consistent championship competitiveness. Juan not only provides historic levels of on-field production but his joy, intensity, and passion for the game mirror our budding culture. We are thrilled to add him to our team and look forward to watching his excellence for years to come.”
Juan Soto’s Career Highlights
Over his seven-year major league career with the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, and Washington Nationals, Soto has achieved remarkable success. He boasts a .285/.421/.532 slash line with 655 runs, 179 doubles, 15 triples, 201 home runs, 592 RBI, 57 steals, and a 36.4 career bWAR in 936 games. He has won the Silver Slugger Award five times (2020-24), finished in the top 10 in MVP voting five times (2019-21, 2023-24), and secured the National League batting title in 2020 with a .351 average. Additionally, the four-time All-Star (2021-24) won the 2022 Home Run Derby.
Since debuting on May 15, 2018, Soto leads the major leagues in walks (769), times on base (1,719), and on-base percentage (.421). He ranks fourth in OPS (.953), sixth in RBI (592), and seventh in both SLG (.532) and home runs (201).
Record-Setting Performance
Soto, a native of the Dominican Republic, has led MLB in walks in 2023 (132), 2022 (135), and 2021 (145). He became the first player to lead the majors in walks for three consecutive seasons since Barry Bonds did so from 2001-04. Soto has recorded at least 100 walks in five of his six full seasons, joining an elite group of players including Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, and Ted Williams.
2024 Season Performance
In 157 games with the Yankees last season, Soto hit .288/.419/.569 with 128 runs, 31 doubles, four triples, 41 home runs, 109 RBI, and 129 walks. He ranked second in the majors in OBP (.419), walks (129), and runs (128), third in OPS (.989), fourth in SLG (.569) and home runs (41), sixth in bWAR (7.9), tied for sixth in RBI (109), and ninth in total bases (328). He set career highs in several categories and finished third in AL MVP voting.
Success at Citi Field
Soto has played 35 games at Citi Field, hitting .333 (39-for-117) with 29 runs, six doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 26 RBI, 28 walks, a .466 OBP, a .709 SLG, and a 1.175 OPS. His longest career home run, 466 feet, was hit at Citi Field on August 12, 2020, as a member of the Nationals.
Postseason Accomplishments
The 26-year-old has appeared in 43 postseason games, posting a .281/.389/.538 slash line with 31 runs, eight doubles, 11 home runs, 30 RBI, two steals, and a .927 OPS. Soto was a key player for the 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals, batting .333 (9-for-27) in the Fall Classic. In the 2024 postseason, he hit .327 (16-for-49) in 14 games.
Early Career and MLB Debut
Soto was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Nationals on July 2, 2015. He made his major league debut at the age of 19 in 2018, hitting .292/.406/.517 and finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.
