Superstar free agent Juan Soto signs with the NY Mets as Winter Meetings begin

The GIST: The Juan Soto sweepstakes came to an end on the first day of MLB’s Winter Meetings as the superstar outfielder signed a record-breaking $765M, 15-year deal with the NY Mets yesterday, trading his Pinstripes for orange and blue. Cha — and we cannot stress this enough — ching.

Soto cashes in with historic deal: Five teams (including the NY Yankees, Soto’s most recent squad) were reportedly bidding for the four-time All-Star’s services until the very end, but the Mets sealed the deal with the largest contract in pro sports history. Soto’s signing shattered last year’s then-historic $700M, 10-year deal inked by the one and only LA Dodger Shohei Ohtani.

• Why the hype? Well, a generational talent only comes…once in a generation. Soto’s just 26 years old, has been in the MVP conversation every season of his young career, and boasts perhaps the best “eyes” in the game. No wonder he’s a multi-million dollar man.

Flurry of moves anticipated throughout Winter Meetings: With representatives from all 30 teams gathered to wheel and deal until Wednesday, the market will only heat up now that Soto’s off the table. As always, pitching is a hot commodity, highlighted by starters, four-time All-Star Corbin Burnes and standout southpaw Max Fried.

• Plus, the bidding hype won’t end with Soto. Regarded as one of the best pitchers in the world, Japanese hurler Rōki Sasaki is expected to be posted this week as he transfers from Japan’s pro league to MLB.

• Under the international amateur signing rules, teams will then have 45 days to negotiate with him before the official signing period begins on January 15th. TL;DR? Things are just getting started.