"Juan Soto is a great player, but you're overpaying" - Sam Morril compares Shohei Ohtani's contract to Mets' blockbuster $765,000,000 deal
Juan Soto doesn't play two ways like Shohei Ohtani, but the New York Mets saw value in him, signing the outfielder to a record-setting 15-year, $765 million contract. This deal broke Ohtani's previous record — a 10-year, $700 million contract signed with the Dodgers last year — to become the richest contract in baseball and professional sports.
Soto will earn an annual salary of $51 million, with an opt-out clause in place after the 2029 season. The Mets have the option to void this opt-out by upgrading his salary to $55 million annually for the remaining 10 years.
Juan Soto's record-breaking contract has sparked widespread discussion, including comments from New York-based comedian Sam Morril, who appeared on Tuesday's edition of "The Rich Eisen Show." The comedian believes the Mets overpaid for Soto, offering a layman’s comparison between Soto and Ohtani.
"Who's beating the Dodgers right now? I mean, they're so stacked. Also, when you look at what you get out of Shohei (Ohtani) versus Soto, it’s like you’re getting two positions versus one," Morril said (2:40 onwards).
"I know you get to defer the contract, and you get this huge audience in Japan. I mean, Soto’s a great player, but it seems like you’re overpaying by a lot."
Actor Jon Hamm shares his views on Juan Soto's contract
Even "Landman" star Jon Hamm, who appeared on The Rich Eisen Show recently, thinks Juan Soto's contract seems overvalued. He compared it to how seven-time All-Star Edgar Martinez might have earned a billion-dollar contract if he had played in today’s era.
"You know, I was listening to you guys talk about it, and it's a funny thing when you spend that much money on one guy, on a team that by law has to field nine guys," Hamm said (21:34 onwards). "It's an interesting dynamic. You know, you go, 'Okay, cool.' I think the fielding liability is funny, and it's going to be a bit of a wild card, but that's why they have the DH."
"If I were Edgar Martinez, I’d really wish I lived in a different generation. Can you imagine? You know what I mean? He is one of the greatest DHs I've ever seen, of all time. Anybody who works in professional baseball would say that too. He’s just the guy who raked. But yeah, he could’ve been a billion-dollar guy."
While several analysts have questioned whether Juan Soto — who has yet to win an MVP award, unlike Shohei Ohtani — deserves such a massive deal, the contract is now official. Regardless, Mets fans in Queens have over a decade to watch Soto wreak havoc at the plate.