Juan Soto has been the best addition to the New York Yankees during the last offseason. They needed a lefty superstar slugger who could fit alongside Aaron Judge. Moreover, Soto’s hitting style is perfect for the Yankee Stadium. On top of that, the Judge-Soto duo eventually formed the most lethal offensive combination this season. They are helping the Bronx Bombers to dominate the American League. Only a month remaining ahead of the playoffs, and the Pinstripes are trying to solidify their place at the top of the American League East division.
It would not have been possible for the Yankees to be as strong as they have been in their offense without the two superstar sluggers. But the question remains if they will remain teammates next year as well. At the end of this 2024 season, Juan Soto will become arguably the biggest name in the free agency. Last offseason, the biggest free agent, Shohei Ohtani, signed a record-breaking and massive 10-year contract worth $700 million. What kind of massive deal Soto might sign next free agency? And which team will be lucky enough to land him?
With Whom Will Juan Soto Sign A Long Term Deal – Yankees Or Mets?
The two New York teams are favorites to land the ‘Generational talent.’ But fans can imagine that being a Scott Boras client, any team with a bigger and better offer can sign the superstar hitter. Jon Heyman and Ken Rosenthal have been saying that Hal Steinbrenner may have hinted at their payroll not being sustainable. However, Jeff Passan of ESPN indicated that most MLB insiders believe the Dominican superstar will sign a contract worth more than $500 million over 14 or 15 years. Apparently, the Yankees may not be able to offer a contract above $500 million. Then, Steve Cohen, the Mets owner, will get a freeway to sign the lefty superstar slugger next offseason as they have a much better payroll situation.
However, Jon Heyman was suggesting that teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers & the Philadelphia Phillies are also on the race to sign the 2020 NL Batting Champion. There is a good possibility that Soto might sign the second-biggest free-agent deal behind Shohei Ohtani. However, Soto’s new contract may have a higher value than the Ohtani contract’s present-day value. Considering inflation and all the other factors, Ohtani’s contract has a present-day value of $426 million. Soto should get much more than that, as per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The Dominican Slugger Is Having A Career-Best Season This Year
Since Juan Soto is having a great season, the chances of him being the biggest free agent next offseason is getting higher and higher. So far, this year, Soto has already hit more than 35 home runs (career-best) and is slashing .296/.427/.600. Other than standing on 37 home runs, the Dominican slugger has 95 RBIs, 1.027 OPS, 109 walks (league’s best so far), and against 91 strikeouts. Over the course of his career, Juan Soto has hit 197 home runs.
He will be one of the best power hitters available in the next free-agency market. The Yankees would do anything to keep him on their roster and win the bidding war against the crosstown rivals. Moreover, if the Judge-Soto duo goes on to lead the team to win the 2024 World Series, the Bronx Bombers will have to go all-in for Soto again.
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