NHL insider Elliotte Friedman pens 3-word reaction to Juan Soto's $765,000,000 Mets extension

By Abhishek Dilta

Modified Dec 09, 2024 05:21 GMT

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NHL insider Elliotte Friedman had a three-word reaction to MLB star outfielder Juan Soto's groundbreaking contract.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Soto has signed an agreement with the New York Mets for a staggering 15-year deal worth $765 million, marking it the largest contract in professional sports history.

The contract includes no deferred money, ensuring that Soto will receive his earnings up front. Additionally, the contract features escalators that could push the total value to about $800 million, solidifying Soto's status as the highest-paid athlete in MLB history.

Reacting to Soto's contract news, Friedman humorously tweeted:

"That's Bukauskas money."

With his new contract, Juan Soto surpasses the previous record for the largest contract in MLB history. That mark was held by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who offered Shohei Ohtani a $700 million deal over 10 years last offseason.

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Elliotte Friedman speculates undisclosed details of Igor Shesterkin's extension

After much speculation and numerous reports, Igor Shesterkin's contract saga with the New York Rangers ended on Saturday with a significant deal. The goaltender signed an eight-year deal worth $92 million with the Blueshirts, which translates to an AAV of $11.5 million.

The contract also makes Shesterkin the highest-paid goalie in the NHL in terms of overall salary and AAV, surpassing Carey Price's $84 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens.

Elliotte Friedman speculated the undisclosed details of Shesterkin's extension:

"Some details we're hearing: $85M in signing bonuses. Full NMC all the way through. According to a couple other teams, he actually left money on the table -- but NYR really wanted to get this done, and Shesterkin ultimately wanted to stay."

The extension was finalized a day after the Rangers traded captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks.

“Well, clearly with the contract we just signed him to, it speaks volumes of what I think of him as a goalie, as a player, as a person,” general manager Chris Drury said via NHL.com.

"We’re lucky to have him. We’re excited that he wanted to make the commitment to be with the Rangers for eight years. We’re excited to be able to sign him up for that."

Igor Shesterkin has been with the Rangers for the past six seasons. He has posted a 144-68-18 record with a 2.47 GAA and .920 SV%. The 28-year-old won the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender in 2021-22.