Last night, Juan Soto signed a historic 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, shattering the MLB record for the largest contract in history. The previous record was set just last year by Shohei Ohtani, who inked a $700 million deal with the Dodgers. However, unlike Ohtani’s contract, which included significant deferred money, Soto’s deal featured no deferred money, making him far and away baseball’s richest player as he returns to the NL East.
The impact of Soto’s signing on the Braves is immediate and undeniable. On the field, Soto bolsters a Mets roster fresh off an NLCS appearance, with owner Steve Cohen making it clear that Soto is just the first piece of his offseason super-team ambitions. The days of the Mets being the Braves’ “little brother” appear to be over, as the NL East shapes up to be the most competitive division in baseball for years to come.
Off the field, Soto’s deal inevitably draws comparisons to Ronald Acuña Jr.’s contract with Atlanta. Acuña, after his first professional season, signed an eight-year, $100 million deal—a bargain that now feels increasingly one-sided. Both Soto and Acuña have enjoyed similar levels of success and are around the same age, fueling the argument that Acuña left hundreds of millions on the table by committing early. Soto’s record-breaking deal only amplifies that sentiment.
Still, Acuña’s chance to cash in isn’t too far off. His current contract runs through the 2028 season, allowing him to hit free agency ahead of his age-31 season. While that’s five years older than Soto is now, it’s more than enough time for Acuña to secure a massive deal. Given the current trajectory of MLB contracts, a 10+ year deal worth $400 million or more isn’t out of the question, especially if Acuña stays healthy for the remainder of his contract.
Unfortunately for Braves fans, a deal of that magnitude would almost certainly be out of Atlanta’s price range. The organization has never ventured anywhere close to such figures, even for homegrown stars. The Braves’ best chance to retain Acuña long-term would be to negotiate another team-friendly extension before he reaches free agency. While some may see this as unlikely, Acuña might be more receptive given his history of injuries, including two season-ending setbacks in the last four years.
Even so, the odds feel slim. Juan Soto’s groundbreaking contract has set a new standard for MLB superstars and will undoubtedly be a reference point in future negotiations. Soto’s payday also highlights the willingness of multiple teams to bid well over $700 million for a generational talent. When Acuña’s time comes, he will have no shortage of suitors willing to offer record-breaking contracts. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to imagine the Braves being one of them.
—
Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
