Since making his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals in 2018, Juan Soto has consistently demonstrated his elite skills to earn the accolade of the generational star. He won the World Series with nationals in 2019 and has since continued to dominate the league, earning multiple All-Star and Silver Slugger awards.
This year, as well, Juan Soto is all set to register a career-high season with the New York Yankees. And with career-defining free agency approaching, every run will count. Meanwhile, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller shared his take on Soto’s free agency and projected the further hall of fame slugger to secure a record contract.
Juan Soto Likely To Surpass Shohei Ohtani Present-Day Value In Free Agency
Generational talent Juan Soto, one of baseball’s brightest young stars, is poised to make headlines in the upcoming free agency period. He is currently employed with the New York Yankees on a $31 million arbitration salary. Having been traded to the Bronx earlier this off-season, Soto defied change of scenery concerns to stack a .304 average, 1.018 OPS, 30 home runs, 97 runs scored, and 82 RBIs across 115 games. At this trajectory, Soto is likely to finish with career-high home runs, runs scored, and best OPS ever in a 162-game stretch. Meanwhile, ahead of the 2025 free agency, Kerry Miller of Bleacher Reports made a bold prediction on Soto’s free agency contract.
“Whatever your guess was three months ago as to what Soto would get this offseason, might want to tack another 10 percent onto that,” Miller wrote. The analysts explained that 2024 season numbers will certainly play a big role in Juan Soto’s final contract value. He also expects the slugger to surpass Shohei Ohtani’s $460M present-day value. While Ohtani signed a $700 million deal with LA Dodgers, 97% of his salary is deferred to the end of the 10-year deal. Hence, taking inflation into consideration, Ohtani’s present-day value is estimated to be $460 million. Having said that, Juan Soto will more or less achieve the $500 million mark next off-season. His agent, Scott Boras, is known for inflating the market, and with Soto, Boras is likely to go all in. It remains to be seen if the Yankees manage to stay in the pursuit.
Yankees, Mets To Battle It Out For Soto!
Meanwhile, Juan Soto mentioned in his All-Star interview that he is open to have negotiation with any team in MLB. While all 30 teams would love to sign Soto, the fight will eventually reduce to 3-4 team with high purchasing power. While the New York Yankees are in the mix, city rivals Mets have also emerged as top suitors.
LA Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies could also enter the pursuit. However, Mets and New York Yankees will end up having a face off. If the Bronx Bombers end up signing the historic contract, they will be left with less money to spend elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Mets are already in rebuilding phase and hence won’t mind cashing out big chunks for Juan Soto.
To stay up-to-date with the New York Yankees 2024 season, keep following Sports News International