What does "eat and run" mean? From the first year of ML's top three contracts, Pulpul, Superstar Authenticity and Integrity
Sep 16, 2025
|
|
In December last year, he left the New York Yankees for an astronomical amount of 765 million dollars for 15 years and moved to his rival Mets. It is the largest single contract in global sports history.
There is no future payment (deferred money), and the right to opt out was granted after the end of the 2029 World Series. If the Mets want to extinguish this opt-out clause, they need to raise the annual average annual salary of $46 million set for 10 years from 2030 to 2039, the remaining contract period, to $50 million. In other words, up to $805 million could be paid over 15 years.
In the AL, Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the number one ransom. In early April, it signed an extension contract for 14 years and $500 million. From next year to 2039, the Sinning Bonus alone is $325 million. Although it is a deformed contract structure, the annual amount paid along with the set annual salary will increase little by little, including $30 million in 2026, $31 million in 2027, $32 million in 2028 and $33 million in 2029, as the Sinning Bonus will be received in 2039 when the contract term ends. Guerrero also has no further payment.
|
|
In summary, it can be seen that the 1st to 3rd place is determined in the order of Soto, Guerrero, and Onati. However, there is one thing in common between these three. Immediately after the contract was signed, it has been performing in line with the ransom.
Ohtani became the third MVP of his career last year, achieving 50 home runs and 50 steals for the first time in history. He is also making a last-minute spurt toward his fourth MVP this season, with 50 home runs and 100 RBIs-140 runs. As of the 15th (Korea time), he has a batting average of 0.281 (158 hits in 563 at-bats), 49 home runs, 93 RBIs, 135 runs, and an OPS of 1.001.
Soto was sluggish early this year, the first season of his contract. He had his worst two months since his Major League debut with a batting average of 0.231 and an OPS of 0.770. At the time, local media with a short temper did not just use the expression 'eat and run', expressing concern that it could be the worst contract in history.
|
He briefly slowed down with a batting average of 0.211 in July, but he continues to be the hottest hitter in the team in the second half of the year. As of today, he had a batting average of 0.262, 40 homers, 98 RBIs, 114 runs, 119 walks, 32 steals, and an OPS of 0.921. He achieved 30-30 for the first time in his career. He hit .288 with 41 home runs and an OPS of 0.989 with the Yankees last year during the FA season, so it is safe to say that his momentum has not died this season.
However, the Mets have recently fallen into a swamp of eight consecutive losses, threatening their third place in the wild card, which is not Soto's fault. During the same period, Soto had 10 hits in 32 at-bats (0.313), three homers and five RBIs.
|
Guerrero briefly slowed down early in the season, but has been back on track since May. The monthly OPS continued to rise steadily from 0.763 in March-April to 0.869 in May, 0.899 in June and 0.943 in July. He briefly slowed down in August with an OPS of 0.840 but has a batting average of 0.468 (22 hits in 47 at-bats), two homers, seven RBIs and an OPS of 1.197 in 12 games in September.
Toronto continued its strong performance of 8 wins and 4 losses in September, including the last four consecutive wins, with the explosive power of Guerrero's batting lineup. Toronto, which has 87 wins and 62 losses, ranks first in the AL as well as the Eastern District.
Even though they have different personal tendencies, the seriousness and sincerity in dealing with baseball in common are superstars.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
