For years, Shohei Ohtani has been the face of baseball, a two-way marvel admired from Tokyo to Los Angeles. His talent, charisma, and global appeal made him the sport’s ultimate icon. But this season, the crown has quietly slipped from his head.
In December, the New York Mets made history by signing Juan Soto to a staggering 15-year, 765 million dollar contract. According to MLB.com and CBS Sports, it is now the largest deal in professional sports. Soto will earn around 61.88 million dollars this season, with no deferred payments. He also receives a 75 million dollar signing bonus and can opt out after five years.
Soto’s income does not stop there. With seven million dollars in endorsements from Under Armour, Cerveza Presidente, Banreservas, Celsius, New Era, and Topps, his total yearly earnings put him at the top of Sportico’s list of highest-paid MLB players in 2025.
Juan Soto’s New Deal: A Shift in Baseball’s Power Structure
The Mets’ message is simple. They are not waiting for success; they are buying it now. Team owner Steve Cohen’s aggressive move signals a new era for New York baseball, centered around one of the most disciplined and consistent hitters of his generation.
Meanwhile, Ohtani’s 700 million dollar contract with the Dodgers looks very different once you dig into the details. Because most of his salary is deferred until after he retires, he will make only about two million dollars in real-time income this season. That ranks him just 18th among active MLB players, according to MLB.com. Even with his 20-plus global sponsorships, including Porsche and Hugo Boss, Ohtani’s financial dominance has been overtaken by Soto’s timing and leverage.
From Dominican Roots to Global Stardom
For Soto, this is more than a contract. It is a statement. From his early days with the Nationals, where he won a World Series at 21, to his rise as one of the game’s most feared hitters, every moment has led to this record-setting deal.
Now, at only 26 years old, Juan Soto is not just the highest-paid player in baseball. He is the sport’s new financial benchmark and one of its most powerful global ambassadors. The Mets have their franchise cornerstone, the league has a new superstar standard, and fans have a new debate to argue about all season: Is Juan Soto now the true face of baseball?
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