"Like Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Ken Griffey Jr." - MLB insider claims Juan Soto's $765,000,000 contract won't end well long-term for Mets
The baseball world was left stunned when news broke that Juan Soto had signed the richest contract not only in MLB but in sports history overall. On Sunday, the 26-year-old signed a 15-year deal worth $765 million with the New York Mets.
Insiders and analysts alike were taken aback by the figure that Soto is about to rake in as MLB owner Steve Cohen agreed to such a massive deal for a single player. In a recent interview with CBS Sports, former Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden compared Soto's move to other long-term big-money deals that didn't pan out.
"Like Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Ken Griffey Jr.," Bowden stated (3:05-3:10)
The former general manager alluded to the big-money contracts that the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, and Cincinnati Reds gave to Cabrera, Pujols and Griffey, respectively.
Bowden clarified that Juan Soto's contract will be beneficial for the Mets for the next eight to nine years but will eventually taper off and will be a detriment towards its conclusion.
"I think this contract is going to work out really well for the New York Mets for the next eight years, maybe nine. I think he will play DH towards the end of this contract. But it won't end well—but it's okay." (2:43-3:10)
The former baseball executive also praised Mets owner Steve Cohen for his willingness to invest in his ball club.
"What Steve Cohen just showed the world is that he'll pay whatever it takes to win. He will outbid everyone to the point that they cannot compete." (3:12-3:30)
Juan Soto's contract breakdown
A contract that eclipsed even the $700 million mark set by the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani ahead of the 2024 season, Juan Soto's contract makes him the highest-paid athlete in the history of sports.
Soto's 15-year, $765,000,000 deal with the Mets will garner him a base salary of $51 million yearly that can top up to $55 million starting in 2030. The superstar will also receive a $75 million signing bonus apart from the yearly salary.
An opt-out was set in place and will be triggered five years into the deal. This clause, however, can be made null and void by the Mets if they pay Soto the aforementioned $55 million, that starts in 2030. In total, Juan Soto will receive $805 million at the conclusion of his history-making contract.