Team that signed Juan Soto to a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract nyt crossword clue

To solve the crossword clue "Team that signed Juan Soto to a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract," we first need to identify the key components of the clue: 1. **Subject**: Juan Soto is a well-known professional baseball player. 2. **Context**: The clue specifies a "team" and a significant contract, indicating a high-profile sports context. As of my last knowledge update in October 2023, Juan Soto was previously with the Washington Nationals, where he gained fame as one of the league's top young talents. However, at that time, he was traded to the San Diego Padres. The team associated with a monumental contract for him (if he had signed or is expected to in the near future) would align with his current or recent status in major league baseball. Given the context: - The Washington Nationals were his original team. - The San Diego Padres are the team where he was traded to. If the clue refers to a recent event still relevant in 2023, the likely answer is "PADRES," with the letters fitting well into typical crossword structure, being 6 letters long. ### Solving Process 1. **Identify the Subject**: Recognize it’s a sports-related question about a particular player. 2. **Contextualize the Information**: Check historical performance and contracts related to Juan Soto. 3. **Consider Current Affairs**: Stay updated on recent trades or contracts. 4. **Fit with Crossword Structure**: Make sure the answer fits the letter count provided in the crossword if known. ### Tips for Crossword Puzzles: - **Stay Updated**: For clues referencing current events (especially in sports), make sure to have updated knowledge as situations change rapidly. - **Contextual Knowledge**: Understanding the background of well-known figures or events can help you decipher tricky clues. - **General Strategies**: If stuck, write down what you know about the subject; this can lead to insights about the answer. - **Wordplay Awareness**: Be cautious of puns or other clever language uses in clues that might lead to alternative interpretations. By following the above processes, you can deduce that the answer to the clue is "PADRES," presuming that as of October 2023, they may have signed him to a major contract.