WOODBURY – During the 2024 MLB offseason, the New York Mets signed the 26 year old young superstar, Juan Soto to a 15 year $765 million dollar contract, inking the largest contract in sports history. The league was in full shock and the internet went crazy over Soto’s gargantuan signing. The expectations for the Mets were high after coming off an NLCS appearance against the Los Angeles Dodgers; signing Soto to join an already successful team meant that they would be World Series contenders for the next 15 years.
Soto was coming off a huge year for the New York Yankees coming in 3rd place in AL MVP voting behind Bobby Witt Jr and Aaron Judge. The slugger hit 41 home runs with a .288 batting average.
The Mets are currently 1.5 games behind the Phillies in the NL East division standings, with a top 5 record in the league. The $765 million man is off to a slow start. With only 8 home runs and batting .243 as this is Soto’s slowest start to the regular season in his career.
Joshua Kornblut, a science teacher at Nonnewaug High School and a longtime Yankee fan, says it is too early to tell but thinks it’s too much.
“I think that it is too early to tell if it was worth it,” Kornblut said. “This is a record contract for a generational talent, and it will end up being worth it if they win at least two World Series during his time. I do think that the contract was more than he is worth. He is not the best player in baseball, and he’s not even the second-best player.”
Kornblut also talks about Soto’s skill level as an outfielder, but has hesitations about Soto’s contract.
“He is a top tier hitter with unmatched plate discipline, who is an average fielder. Contracts will continue to grow in the game, but to think that one player is worth $765 million dollars is crazy,” said Kornblut. “Juan Soto has to be the face of the franchise who brings the Mets multiple World Series titles, otherwise his contract ends in disappointment.”
Stephanie Gutierrez, one of Nonnewaug school counselors, is a Mets fan and says in the long run it will all work out.
“I think it was an unprecedented and insane amount of money to pay one athlete,” said Gutierrez, who’s love for the Mets began when she was growing up. “However, without a salary cap in place I think it was a great idea to build up the Mets franchise and continue to build the revenue in order to make Citi field a desirable location to fans. So far I wouldn’t say the money has paid off but it’s only the beginning of May and there are a lot of games (and years) left for him to prove he was worth it.”
Mike Sturges, a part of the NHS history department, is a die-hard Mets fan and has plenty of opinions of the experiment.
“I think it is an appropriate amount because they are not just getting a player,” said Sturges. “Give the Yankees a black eye, because they already have Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and they already have so much power. If Cohen wants to show he is for real he has no choice but to get Soto. He had the decision to spend big money on pitching or power and he chose power.”
Sturges reflets on the season before and how it was a good time for the Mets to sign a star.
“The 2024 season was fun and unexpected for the Mets,” said Sturges. “Cohen was thinking to just capitalize on last year’s surprise playoff run when the Mets made the NLCS.”
Tyler DiElsi, a junior at Nonnewaug High School, is a loyal Mets fan, and has faith in Soto to step up for the team.
“I think right now it is way too early to tell, he has been off to a little struggle and a little down from past years, but he has been having better at nats and better swings,” said DiElsi. DiElsi has been a mets fan his whole life. “Right now he is playing his role as getting on for Pete Alonso. He is taking his walks and having hits here and there, but right now Alonso has been one of the best hitters in the MLB and Soto having good at bats and getting on base for him has been working in our favor. I think he will get it going soon though, he already looks a lot more comfortable at the plate so I think he’ll have his breakout game soon.”
