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The contract structure has garnered attention, particularly the opt-out clause available after the initial five years. The Mets hold the ability to override this opt-out by bumping Soto's yearly salary up by over $4 million, a strategic move that reflects on how the Mets view Soto as a long-term investment. This kind of financial flexibility indicates that the franchise is not merely focused on immediate returns but rather on building a sustainable winner.
The overall deal is reminiscent of prior contracts seen in Major League Baseball, with the scale signaling both an all-in commitment to winning and a broader, calculated risk with long-term implications.