Mets introduce Juan Soto at Citi Field after record-breaking deal
NEW YORK -- The New York Mets officially introduced superstar Juan Soto today at Citi Field, after the four-time MLB All-Star outfielder signed the largest contract in professional sports history.
Soto agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract to play in Queens, breaking the record set by Shohei Ohtani's 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year.
"The Mets are a great organization and what they have done in the past couple years, showing ability to keep winning, to keep growing a team, to try to grow a dynasty, is one of the most important things," Soto said. "The future that this team has has a lot to do with my decision."
Soto, 26, may opt out after the 2029 season unless the Mets increase his average annual salary by $4 million at that time, bringing the grand total to $805 million.
Watch the Juan Soto news conference
The Mets held an introductory news conference with Soto, owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns in the Piazza Club at Citi Field.
"It's obviously a huge move. I think it just puts an accent on what we're trying to do. It accelerates our goal of winning championships," Cohen said. "But more important, I think, I said it in the locker room after one of our playoff victories, that my goal was to change how the Mets were viewed. And I think we're really on the path of changing that ... My goal is that the Mets are going to be a premier, one of the elite teams in Major League Baseball."
The family atmosphere created by Mets ownership also played a huge role in Soto's decision.
"What they have and what they're doing here, I think it's one of the biggest things for me. When I look at my family I think they're going to have the best time," Soto said.
Soto reportedly turned down a 16-year, $760 million offer from the New York Yankees. The Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Dodgers were also reportedly interested in signing him.
He said he has not spoken with any of his former Yankees teammates.
"I haven't talked to any of those guys. We talked to them through playoffs, at the end of the playoffs. But after that, amid this process, I haven't talked to any of them," Soto said.
Click here to watch the press conference.
Juan Soto's career at Citi Field
A five-time Silver Slugger, Soto has appeared in just 35 regular season games at Citi Field, all for the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres and Yankees. But in those games against the Mets, he had a .333 batting average, with 26 RBI, 19-extra-base hits and 12 home runs -- including several tape-measure shots.
His 19 career home runs against the Mets are tied for his most against any opponent. He also has 19 against the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves.
Soto smashed a career-high 41 homes runs in 2024, his only season with the Yankees after being acquired in a blockbuster seven-player trade with the Padres after the 2023 season.
His home run total, 109 RBI and .569 slugging percentage last season easily would have led the 2024 Mets. Pete Alonso's 34 home runs and Francisco Lindor's 91 RBI were both team highs.
