Bryce Harper and Juan Soto played together in the outfield for the Washington Nationals for one year in 2018. That year was pivotal for Harper, who fulfilled a long-anticipated goal by signing the biggest free-agent contract in baseball history.

At the same time, Soto, then still a teenager, observed and absorbed the lessons around him.

Although Soto didn’t receive the same level of hype as Harper—who graced the cover of Sports Illustrated at 16—his career is characterized by remarkable similarities. Soto debuted in Major League Baseball at 19 with the Nationals, made an immediate impact, and drew comparisons to greats like Ted Williams, initiating a countdown to when he could offer his talents to the highest bidder.

This moment arrived last night when Soto struck a monumental deal with the New York Mets: a jaw-dropping 15-year contract worth $765 million, establishing him as the highest-paid athlete in sports history.

This equates to $51 million each year, a figure made possible by the immense financial resources that Mets owner Steve Cohen, who leads a hedge fund, brings to his team. With Cohen at the helm, the financial landscape of Major League Baseball has shifted, creating an intense competition primarily with the wealthy Los Angeles Dodgers.

Given Soto’s groundbreaking contract appears just a year after Shohei Ohtani, a unique two-way player, signed a 10-year, $700 million agreement with the Dodgers, it’s natural to wonder:

When will this escalation come to a halt?

Fast forward less than six years, and Soto has set a new benchmark, surpassing that figure significantly.

Soto’s contract also eclipses Aaron Judge’s nine-year, $360 million deal, which he signed to stay with the Yankees following his 2022 MVP season. Additionally, Ohtani’s heavily deferred contract holds a value of $46 million by the players’ association, although he only receives $2 million upfront while waiting decades for the remainder.

Soto’s deal significantly overshadows all prior agreements: with an average annual salary of $51 million, a total contract value of $765 million, a signing bonus of $75 million, and zero deferrals.

For fans of teams like the Pirates, Guardians, or Kings, this financial landscape may feel daunting, as billionaires like Cohen can acquire top talent as easily as art collectors gather rare pieces.

This Soto headline might seem like an exaggeration—a reality where the Mets attract every player rather than the Yankees.

However, it’s essential to analyze the situation carefully.

During the times when Harper, Soto, Judge, and Ohtani entered the free-agent market, they were truly one-of-a-kind players. Following the 2018 season, both Harper and Manny Machado—who signed a $300 million contract with San Diego—became standout free agents at just 26 years old, a rarity since Alex Rodriguez’s free agency in 2000.

Who could forget about A-Rod? His 10-year, $252 million contract with the Rangers in 2001 was groundbreaking, effectively doubling the previous record. Despite rising prices, the free-agent market didn’t explode with multiple high-value deals.

The next player to surpass a $200 million deal wasn’t anyone other than A-Rod himself, who opted out of his original agreement and signed a new one with the New York Yankees for $275 million.

Now, Soto, who was traded from Washington after declining a 15-year, $440 million offer in 2022, has proven that betting on his own abilities was a smart move.

Importantly, Soto stands out not merely for his skill but also for his self-confidence, consistently evident in crucial moments, exemplified by his game-winning home run during this year’s American League Championship Series.

This led to his well-deserved reward, representing the peak of what Cohen can achieve in acquiring top talent in today’s market.

Records are made to be broken, and one day, Soto’s impressive salary benchmark will also be surpassed—possibly by a private equity mogul who doesn’t yet own a team but sees a promising youth talent, either from the Dominican Republic or from the 9-year-old travel-ball circuit in the U.S.

However, for now, Cohen can keep his vault tightly secured. Harper, Judge, Ohtani, and Soto represent a set of talents that keep elevating the bar with each new star.

Yet, these athletes are exceptional.

Without a doubt, the elite segment of the major league free-agent market has undergone a transformation. It may take some time before we find another player capable of reaching such lofty levels.