While there are no definitive records in sports beyond the United States, Soto’s deal is thought to eclipse those in all other team sports. The deal was reached on the eve of the first full day of baseball’s annual winter meetings.
Its length tops Fernando Tatis jnr’s $US340 million, 14-year contract with San Diego that runs through 2034.
A four-time All-Star at age 26, Soto is the most accomplished free agent at that age since shortstop Alex Rodriguez agreed to a record $US252 million, 10-year contract with Texas in December 2000 at age 25.
Soto was 19 when he made his major league debut with Washington in 2018 and helped the Nationals win the World Series the following year, when he hit .282 with 34 homers while batting in 110 runs.
He turned down Washington’s $US440 million, 15-year offer in 2022 and was traded that August to San Diego. Following the death of Padres owner Peter Seidler, Soto was dealt to the Yankees in December 2023 and helped New York reach the World Series for the first time since 2009.
Soto batted .288 with 41 homers, batted in 109 runs and took 129 walks, hitting second in the batting order ahead of Aaron Judge to power an offence that led the major leagues with 237 homers. He hit a home run to give the Yankees the lead over Cleveland in the opening game of the American league’s championship series, and a tie-breaking, three-run homer in the 10th inning that won the pennant against the Guardians in game five and sent New York to the World Series.
Soto has a .285 batting average with 201 homers, 592 runs batted in and 769 walks over seven major league seasons.
AP
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
