The New York Mets will formally present Juan Soto on Thursday during a press conference at Citi Field, after confirming a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract – the largest in sports history.

The owners of the Mets, Steve and Alex Cohen, stated, “This is a landmark moment in our franchise’s journey.”

At 26, Soto started his MLB career at 19 with the Washington Nationals in 2018 and quickly established himself as one of baseball’s elite hitters. He has been among the top 10 in MVP voting five times over the last six years and achieved a personal best of 41 home runs in 2024, playing a crucial role in propelling the New York Yankees to the World Series following a trade from the San Diego Padres.

David Stearns, Mets president of baseball operations, remarked, “This signing reinforces our dedication to maintaining a competitive team capable of consistently challenging for championships. Juan not only delivers exceptional performance on the field but also embodies the joy, intensity, and passion we want in our team culture.”

This past season, the Mets unexpectedly advanced to the NLCS, where they were defeated by the eventual champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, in six games.

What Time Will the Juan Soto Press Conference Start?

Soto’s press conference is set for 3 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Details of Juan Soto’s Contract

• Contract Duration: 15 years
• Signing Bonus: $75 million
• Total Contract Value: $765 million. This surpasses Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers from last offseason by $65 million.
• Deferred Payments: $0
• Average Annual Value: $51 million, setting a new record, particularly since a significant part of Ohtani’s contract is deferred until after his playing career ends.
• Opt-Out Clauses: Soto can opt out after the 2029 season. Additionally, the Mets have the option to void his buyout if they raise his salary from $51 million to $55 million starting in 2030 for a decade.
• Potential Total Contract Value: $805 million, depending on the Mets exercising their option.

– Steve Gardner

Juan Soto’s Jersey Number

Juan Soto will don the No. 22 for the New York Mets, the same number he wore with the Nationals, Padres, and Yankees.