Juan Soto wasted no time proving why the New York Mets handed him the richest contract in sports history. In his very first at-bat with the team, Soto crushed a towering 426-foot home run, electrifying the Spring Training crowd and sending a clear message-he’s worth every penny of that staggering $765 million deal.
The 26-year-old superstar, who made headlines in December after signing his eye-watering 15-year contract, stepped up to the plate in the first inning of his Mets debut, batting second in the lineup.
After Francisco Lindor popped out to start the inning, all eyes were on Soto. And he delivered in spectacular fashion. Facing Houston Astros pitcher Colton Gordon, Soto patiently took two balls and then swung and missed at a third pitch.
But when Gordon left a fastball hanging over the plate, Soto pounced-launching a moonshot over the left-center field wall to give the Mets an early 1-0 lead. The crowd erupted, watching their new franchise star announce his arrival in the most dramatic way possible.
Soto seems to have found his permanent home
Soto was the most sought-after free agent this offseason. While the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Blue Jays all pursued him aggressively, the Mets ultimately won the sweepstakes, securing the generational talent with a massive payday that dwarfs even Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal with the Dodgers.
Unlike Ohtani, who has most of his salary deferred, Soto will enjoy massive annual payouts throughout his contract. After stints with the Nationals, Padres, and Yankees, Soto appears to have finally found his long-term home in Queens.
And if his first at-bat is any indication, Mets fans are in for something special. With more at-bats to come against Houston, the question now is-how many more fireworks will Soto deliver before Opening Day?
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