The Bronx Bombshell

“Fifteen years, $765 million, no deferred money. The numbers of Juan Soto’s contract with the New York Mets, agreed to Sunday night in a deal that sets a new standard for the largest contract in professional sports history, tell a story. A baseball-loving phenom from the Dominican Republic arrived in the big leagues at 19 years old, thrived instantaneously, bet on himself by turning down a $440 million contract offer two years ago and now emerges with a record number of dollars and years — and reminds the sports world of the endless possibilities when extreme talent meets a free market. It’s not the only story, though. This is as much about the Mets as it is Soto — about a franchise that for its 63-year existence has lived in the shadow of its pedigreed neighbor.” How Juan Soto’s deal with the Mets transforms baseball. (Juan Soto is now only a few hundred million short of qualifying for a Trump cabinet spot.)

+ Zach Kram digs into the numbers. Calling Juan Soto’s New Contract Record-Breaking Doesn’t Do It Justice.