WATCH: Alex Rodriguez shares hilarious take on MLB fans breaking down Juan Soto's blockbuster contract with calculator in hand
One of the biggest signings of this offseason has come with free agent Juan Soto staying in New York but shifting to another team. According to MLB, the New York Mets have signed Soto to a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract on Sunday.
The entire Major League Baseball fanbase was shocked and reacted to the blockbuster deal, including former New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod humorously reacted to Soto's massive contract by taking a playful approach. In a video, he can be seen using the calculator on his tablet, with the caption:
'POV: Every baseball fan trying to break down the Soto contract today.'
"Congratulations to my friend and generational talent @juansoto_25 🇩🇴 #mlb #newyorkmets"
Rodriguez also congratulated Soto, calling him a 'generational talent.’ This contract has become the largest in MLB history, surpassing last offseason’s Shohei Ohtani deal, a 10-year, $700 million agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Juan Soto is coming off a one-year, $31 million contract with the New York Yankees in December 2023. He had a stellar 2024 season with the Yankees, posting a .288 batting average, a .419 on-base percentage and a .989 OPS.
In 157 games, Soto hit 41 home runs, drove in 109 RBIs, drew 129 walks and scored 128 runs. Soto is now a four-time All-Star, a Silver Slugger Award winner, a 2019 World Series champion and the 2020 NL batting champion.
Scott Boras compares Juan Soto to Alex Rodriguez
Juan Soto’s massive contract has drawn comparisons to Alex Rodriguez’s 10-year, $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers in December 2000. At the time of their signings, both players were young, secured record-breaking contracts and had their negotiations handled by Scott Boras.
Boras himself compared Soto to Rodriguez, stating (via USA Today):
“You have to create history before the age of 25 to be in a position to garner one of those contracts. Juan is a generational talent, just like Alex was, and everyone covets them because the surplus value is so great. Juan could raise over a billion dollars in value to a team."
Rodriguez signed his massive contract with the Rangers at the age of 25, while Soto, at 26, signed with the Mets.