Miami Marlins heavy hitter Giancarlo Stanton just signed the most lucrative deal in Major League Baseball (MLB) and U.S. sports history. The deal he signed was for a 13-year contract that amounted to $325 million.

The deal is also the longest recorded deal in baseball history.

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Stanton's contract has just eclipsed Alex Rodriguez's own deal, which previously held the record. For comparison purposes, Rodriguez signed a 10-year deal for $270 million with the New York Yankees prior to the 2009 season.

Apart from the length of being with the team, Stanton's contract contains a no-trade clause. It also gives the 25-year old Stanton the right to opt out after six seasons, after which he would have already made $107 million from his deal.

If he does decide to opt out after six seasons, he will be giving up roughly two-thirds of his deal - a whopping $218 million - that is owed to him for the remaining seven years of the deal.

The deal that Stanton signed was flexible and is heavily back-loaded. This allows for the team to have enough money to sign several other young stars to multi-year deals.

Most notably, the Marlins have their eye on the 22-year old starting pitcher Jose Fernandez, who will be expected to anchor the team's starting rotation when he returns from elbow surgery.

Fernandez stands to earn $6.5 million in 2015, $9 million in 2016, and $14.5 million in 2017.

The Marlins have not made it to the postseason since 2003, when the team captured its second World Series title.

The team saw Stanton, who led the National League in 37 home runs and drove in 105 runs before missing most of September after being hit in the face with a baseball, and thought he was a perfect fit to bring back their team to a championship.

"This is not a lottery ticket. This is the start of work and a new job. It's a huge responsibility, and one I'm willing to take," the slugger said at the press conference.

TagsGiancarlo Stanton, mlb, Miami Marlins, Most lucrative deal