Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani are the two most prominent names in Major League Baseball right now. These two guys have incredible hitting power. But even then, the Dominican slugger might be an even better hitter than the Japanese superstar. Nevertheless, the Unicorn makes up for what he lacks in hitting while he pitches. He is the two-way superstar who reminds the baseball fraternity of the great Babe Ruth. The Japanese sensation has become a modern-day equivalent to the great Bambino. In the offseason ahead of the 2024 season, Shohei Ohtani made history as a free agent when he signed an epic $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for ten years.
No other North American sports celebrity has signed a bigger contract in the past. It seems quite unprecedented for other athletes, let alone MLB stars, to match that contract. However, it might not be as difficult as it seems for the Dominican superstar to sign an even bigger deal. Juan Soto may not be able to pitch as well as the great “Sho-Time,” but he makes up for that with his incredible hitting and showmanship. Lately, an expert said he believes that Soto can break Ohtani’s record of a $700 million deal.
Can Juan Soto Break Japanese Superstar’s Contract Record?
After Shohei Ohtani signed the 10 year deal worth $700 million last offseason, it seemed like he is going to be the highest paid player in MLB for the next several years. But things can change dramatically. Last week, during a conversation with the Foul Territory crew, a famous baseball reporter named Ken Rosenthal talked about the impending free agency of Juan Soto. Rosenthal shocked everybody during the discussion with his prediction. Even the former catcher AJ Pierzynski could not believe what Rosenthal just said. According to the famous MLB reporter, Juan Soto is going to get more money than the great Shohei Ohtani. Rosenthal said he believes the Dominican superstar is going to beat the Unicorn’s present day value. However, after saying that, Rosenthal clarified his prediction a bit.
He added that Juan Soto might not go past the $700 million amount that the LA Dodgers will give Ohtani. However, considering inflation and depriciation, Ohtani’s present day value as per his contract is $460 million. In the next ten years, Shohei Ohtani will earn only $20 million in salary of the whole $700 million contract. 2033 will be the final year as per Ohtani’s contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. What Ken Rosenthal has been trying to say here is that he thinks Juan Soto will earn more than $460 million in terms of present-day value in the next offseason.
Why Is It Not Possible For Anyone To Sign A Bigger Contract Than Shohei Ohtani?
Juan Soto has age on his side. He is just 25 years old. Soto will turn 26 this October. Moreover, he already has an impressive resume with a World Series win. The Dominican superstar has proved time and again that he is the best hitter in baseball. Moreover, he started his Yankees journey brilliantly this year. However, nobody can deny that Shohei Ohtani is a transcendent hitter and also an ace pitcher. That’s the reason why people call him a two-way superstar and “Unicorn.”
However, Ohtani has a long injury history that Soto does not have. But it is quite unthinkable that a corner outfielder, no matter how big a hitter he is, can be worth more than the Japanese superstar. However, it is still up for debates. But the bidding war for Juan Soto should be fierce. Moreover, the Yankees and their city rivals, the New York Mets are top contenders to land the Dominican superstar.
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