The latest Juan Soto contract rumors would make Shohei Ohtani jealous

2024 year MLB season is officially over, and all of the league’s attention can turn to the offseason and free agency. Heading into free agency, there is one name that stands out above the rest: New York Yankees superstar outfielder Juan Soto.

MLB pundits have projected Juan Soto to sign the richest contract since Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal, with the price tag slowly rising as he gets better and better. Most experts project him to be 10-15 years with a total value of between $500 million and $600 million depending on the length of the contract.

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There may be more. MLB insider Carl Ravech has floated the idea that Soto will surpass the $500, $550, and even $600 million mark that most pundits have pegged him for this year.

Let’s look at these statements a little deeper. If Soto takes the $700 million deal that Ravech is guessing, it would be the longest contract in baseball history. Or it will involve deferred money like the Ohtani deal. $700 million over 15 years would net Soto roughly $47 million per year. Not completely out of the picture.

It is a known fact that Juan Soto’s sweepstakes will be a war for all. The most important factor will be the dollar signs, and it is not entirely out of the question to put it in this range. Frankly, Soto has already lost $400 million in hope becoming a free agent. Since being offered those big deals, the outfielder has only gotten better.

It’s ridiculous to say that Soto could get a contract north of the $650 million mark. But it is not completely impossible. A team like the Padres or Dodgers could be in the tote if they’re willing to offer him $30 million a year with deferred money coming to him after his contract expires. There are a ton of things these teams can do to get creative and beat Soto.

Whatever teams can’t do with their money, they’re going to try it with Soto. The most likely outcome is that Soto will sign a contract worth around $600 million with one of the New York teamsbut don’t count out the possibility of the bidding war getting so intense and creative that it ends up in Ohtani’s range.