New York Mets superstar Juan Soto is set to earn $765million on his record-breaking 15-year-contract… but that doesn’t mean he not keen to earn a little bit more on top.
The former Yankees outfielder was dealt a rare blow earlier this week when he was snubbed for the MLB All-Star rosters, despite being the best-paid player in the entire league.
The news means he will miss out on the bonus that comes with it, and Soto’s reaction left fans a little frustrated at his perceived greed.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Soto was asked if he was disappointed to have not made the All-Star team.
In response, he said: ‘What do you think??’, to which the reporter replied: ‘I don’t know, a lot of people want to take a vacation.’
But Soto then added: ‘I think it’s a lot of money on the table if I make it!’
Juan Soto was recently snubbed from the MLB All-Star rosters, and will miss out on $100k
Soto hits a two-run home run for the Mets against the rival Yankees – his former team
Last season, MLB players split a $640,000 prize pool among the winning team at the All-Star Game, totaling a measly – by MLB standards – $20,000 each.
Soto, though, reportedly has a bonus clause in his contract earning him a $100,000 windfall if he made the National League All-Star team.
Instead, he will have to make do with his $61m annual salary, guaranteed for the next 14 years.
On social media, fans took aim at the Dominican superstar, with one writing: ‘Always about the money. That’s why he’s in the situation he’s in, and it’ll only get worse.’
Another added: ‘Geez he loses out on $100k. He literally makes over $289k PER GAME during the season. What’s wrong with this guy?’
Soto complained about losing out on the cash, which left many fans frustrated at his attitude
A third said: ‘Now I’m starting to see why the players don’t like him. He just signed a 3/4 of a billion dollar contract and he’s complaining about what? A few million he lost?’
Soto is already a four-time All-Star, making the team from 2021 to 2024, the last of his appearances coming while playing for the New York Yankees.
Since crossing the city to the Mets, though, he hasn’t quite hit the heights expected of him, starting slowly with his new team.
After a boost in recent weeks, he is now hitting .269 with 21 home runs and 52 RBIs.
