10 biggest NY Mets contracts AAV in team history

After the New York Mets went all-in and missed on Kyle Tucker, the Mets switched their focus to stealing Bo Bichette from the grasp of the Phillies to sign him to a huge 3-year, $126 million contract. After this contract, the Mets have now signed four of the top ten highest AAV (average annual salary) contracts in MLB History. So what are some of the other massive AAV contracts that have defined the Mets for better or for worse?

10 biggest AAV contracts in team history

10. 2022 Edwin Diaz: 5-years $102 million - $20.4 million AAV

After Diaz's dominant 2022, he entered free agency as the top closer in baseball. General Manager Billy Eppler did not let Edwin even test the market, as on the first day of free agency, he made Edwin the highest-paid reliever in MLB history.

While this contract only saw Diaz pitch in two healthy seasons, it culminated in an NLCS birth in 2024 and a dominant 3 WAR season in 2025.

9. 2008 Johan Santana: 6-years $137.5 million - $22.5 million AAV

On February 2nd, 2008, the Twins traded Santanat to the Mets for Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra, and Kevin Mulvey. On the same day, the Mets gave him the largest contract ever for a pitcher at the time.

Johan was dominant in 2008, leading the league in ERA, IP, and probably should have won his third Cy Young. The following years were riddled with injuries, and after his 134 pitch no-hitter in 2012, he truly was never the same.

8. 2025 Pete Alonso: 2-years $54 million - $27 million AAV

Following Pete's "down" season in 2024, he came back to the Mets in 2025 with a vengeance on a prove-it deal. He did more than prove himself as one of, if not the best, first basemen in the game. Career highs in batting average and doubles paired with 38 bombs and 121 RBIs got him the 5-year contract he deserved from the Orioles. He leaves the Mets as the greatest power hitter in team history, and a polar bear-sized hole in the middle of the lineup.

7. 2016 Yoenis Cespedes: 4-years $110 million - $27.5 million AAV

After Yoenis carried the Mets all the way to the World Series in 2015, fans were begging the Wilpons not to let Cespedes walk, and they listened. Injuries completely derailed the Mets and Cespedes following this deal.

In the 648 available games from 2016 to 2019, Cespedes appeared in only 251 of them. Despite being injured for most of his contract, Cespedes will always be well-regarded by Met fans, wild boars and all.

6. 2019 Jacob deGrom: 5-years $137.5 million - $27.5 million AV

Coming off a dominant Cy Young season in 2018, Jake's former agent turned team GM Brodie Van Wagenen used his relationship to convince the best pitcher in the game to sign a very team-friendly deal. Excluding 2020, Jake averaged about only 19 starts a year during this contract.

But what he meant to the fans makes this contract worth it and then some. Seeing him leave for Texas in 2023 was not easy, but well-deserved after earning significantly less than market value his entire Met career.

5. 2021 Francisco Lindor: 10-years $341 million - $34.1 million

This contract signified the changing of the guard for this franchise. Steve Cohen's first big move was not only to trade for Francisco Lindor, but also give him the biggest contract in team history that beat out David Wright's extension by over $200 million.

From having the worst season of his career to becoming the de facto captain, Lindor embodies everything it means to be a Met. His $34.1 AAV ranks 15th in 2026, making this contract look even better as the years go on.

4. 2026 Bo Bichette: 3-years $126 million - $42 million

This contract came out of nowhere. No analyst, insider, or reporter saw any smoke between the Mets and Bichette, and yet here we are. The Mets desperately needed another big bat, and they got their guy. We know he can hit, but the question remains if he can become a quality third baseman.

Brett Baty showed he is more than capable of holding down the hot corner, so this mantra of "run prevention" will be put to the test in 2026 with potentially three guys playing new positions.

2b. 2022 Max Scherzer: 3-years $130 million - $43.3 million

Max Scherzer has a controversial legacy with the Mets. On one hand, his 2022 season was a huge reason they ended up winning over 100 games, and on the other hand, he came up short in basically every big game.

His ERA nearly doubled in 2023, and the Mets ended up having to pay the Rangers over $30 million to trade him for Luisangel Acuna, who has been underwhelming.

2a. 2023 Justin Verlander: 2-years $86.6 million - $43.3 million

People forget that Justin Verlander's short stint as a Met was actually pretty good. He posted 2.1 WAR and a 3.15 ERA in 16 starts. While the $68.3 million the Mets paid Verlander was not worth 16 starts, he performed nonetheless.

Not only that, but he has never said a single bad word about the organization when asked about his time here, when he had every right to do so.

1. 2025 Juan Soto: $15-years $765 million - $51 million

Fans will never forget the feeling of seeing the Jeff Passan notification detailing that Juan Soto is signing with the Mets. Is it an absurd amount of money? Yes. Is it worth it so far? A resounding yes. Even though 2025 ended in horror, Soto had the best year of his career.

Entering his age 27 season, the best is surely yet to come. Juan will undoubtedly break almost every offensive club record and will go into the Hall of Fame as a New York Met, a pretty good investment if you ask me.