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The ownership of the Nationals, the Lerner family, understood the crucial need to keep fans engaged, even amidst losing seasons. With a generational talent like Soto in their roster, they crafted an impressive offer: a 15-year contract worth $440 million. This deal would have been not only the largest contract in MLB history but also the second-largest in U.S. professional sports history, eclipsed only by Patrick Mahomes' $450 million extension with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020.
Despite such an enticing offer, Soto decided to turn it down, which left both fans and team officials in shock. Shortly after declining the deal, Soto wowed crowds with an astounding 53 home runs during the 2022 Home Run Derby.