Does anyone have it better than Juan Soto? The Yankees’ star outfielder is about to turn 26 on October 25th, and he’ll be spending his birthday playing in his second career World Series. Soto recently propelled the Yankees past the Cleveland Guardians with a go-ahead home run in the ALCS, putting him on the brink of potentially winning his second World Series championship. But that’s not all—Soto is also set to hit free agency for the first time, positioning himself to sign one of the richest contracts in professional sports history.
1. Who Will Chase Soto?
As Soto enters free agency, all eyes are on where he might land. The New York Yankees and New York Mets are expected to be top contenders, each offering massive financial resources and the opportunity to play for perennial contenders. The Yankees, already benefiting from Soto’s talents, are keen to keep their star in pinstripes, while the Mets are likely to make a strong push to bolster their roster with Soto’s exceptional abilities.
Outside of New York, teams like the San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals could be in the mix. The Giants are known for aiming high, even though they’ve missed out on players like Bryce Harper and Aaron Judge in the past. Meanwhile, the Nationals, Soto’s original team, had previously offered him a 15-year deal worth $440 million before trading him to the Padres. With a young and talented roster, the Nationals could look to bring Soto back with a more lucrative offer.
Other dark-horse teams include the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and even Soto’s former team, the San Diego Padres.
2. How Much Could Soto Command?
With Shohei Ohtani signing a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million deal, the question is: Can Soto eclipse Ohtani’s contract? Many believe he could. Some industry insiders predict contracts in the range of 11 years, $520 million to 12 years, $540 million, while one source jokingly suggested, “whatever Ohtani got, $1 million more.”
While Ohtani’s deal was structured with historic deferrals, reducing its present value to around $437 million, Soto’s deal could be structured similarly to maximize its overall worth. With Scott Boras, the legendary agent known for securing massive contracts, representing Soto, it’s almost certain that Soto will push the upper limits of what’s possible.
3. What Makes Soto’s Free Agency Unique?
What sets Juan Soto apart is his combination of elite talent and youth. Entering free agency at the age of 26, Soto is already an established star with a Hall of Fame trajectory. He boasts a rare mix of plate discipline, power, and consistency, making him one of the most accomplished players to ever reach free agency at such a young age.
Soto’s achievements speak for themselves: he’s the first left-handed hitter in nearly two decades to post consecutive seasons with 35+ home runs while walking more than he struck out. To date, Soto has accumulated over 36 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), ranking 17th all-time through an age-25 season, according to Baseball Reference. Only legends like Mike Trout, Mickey Mantle, and Ken Griffey Jr. have amassed more WAR by this stage in their careers.
What makes Soto’s free agency even more remarkable is how few players in history have reached this level of accomplishment and still hit the open market in their mid-20s. The last comparable player was Álex Rodríguez, who also reached free agency at 24 and signed a then-record 10-year, $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers, setting a new standard for baseball contracts.
Could Soto Surpass Ohtani’s Deal?
Given his age, talent, and representation by Scott Boras, it’s very possible that Juan Soto could sign a deal surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract. His free agency is set to be a once-in-a-generation event, and teams across the league are already lining up to make their best offers. Whether he remains in New York or heads to another franchise, Soto’s next contract will likely redefine the market and continue the trend of astronomical deals for superstar talent.
