New York Yankees All-Star outfielder Juan Soto is set to become a free agent following the World Series.
If the Yankees choose not to extend his contract, the 25-year-old, who will celebrate his 26th birthday on October 25, is expected to attract interest from multiple Major League Baseball teams in a competitive bidding process.
Currently, Soto is under a $31 million contract with the Yankees.
His upcoming free agency follows a significant contract signed by slugger Shohei Ohtani, who agreed to a remarkable 10-year deal worth $700 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 11, 2023. At 29 years old, Ohtani became the highest-paid player in MLB history.
When Soto signs his next contract, he will be three years younger than Ohtani. Speculation suggests that Soto’s deal could be in the $600 million range for a duration of 10 years, and there are even predictions that he might surpass Ohtani’s contract, potentially making him the highest-paid player ever in baseball.
Due to his exceptional talent and age, a number of MLB teams are likely to compete for Soto’s services. An experienced scout believes that at least four clubs will be actively involved in the bidding.
Given that Soto is represented by the Boras Corporation, negotiations are anticipated to be complex and possibly prolonged, with the possibility that he may remain unsigned until after the new year.
