Juan Soto’s impending free agency is emerging as one of the most significant stories in Major League Baseball as the season progresses. Recent reports suggest that the bidding for the talented outfielder will likely come down to two heavyweights: the New York Yankees and the New York Mets, Sports Illustrated reports.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan released an article analyzing the upcoming MLB free agency, with Soto’s status being a focal point. Passan has said that while it remains unclear exactly what Soto’s price tag will be, discussions within the industry suggest that the starting point for his contract will be a staggering $500 million. This figure, if realized, would make Soto’s next deal the second largest in MLB history.
While other teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs, might have the financial capacity to pursue Soto, they are generally regarded as long shots for securing his services. According to Passan, the consensus among high-ranking officials is that the battle for Soto will primarily involve the Yankees and the Mets.
“At the end of the day,” he wrote, “sources believe the winter for Soto is going to play out like this: Yankees vs. Mets.”
Soto, who will celebrate his 26th birthday on October 25, is already a highly accomplished player. With accolades including a four-time All-Star, two-time All-MLB first team selection, and four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, he played a pivotal role in leading the Washington Nationals to a World Series championship in 2019. Throughout his seven-year career, Soto has posted an impressive batting line of .286/.422/.536, with 197 home runs, 578 RBIs, and an OPS of .958.
In his inaugural season with the Yankees, Soto is having a standout year, further increasing his market value. As of Tuesday’s games, he boasts a batting average of .296, an on-base percentage of .427, and a slugging percentage of .600. With 37 home runs and 95 RBIs to date, Soto has exceeded his previous career-best home run total of 35 and has set new personal marks in both on-base and slugging percentages.
As the offseason approaches, the competition between the Yankees and Mets to secure Soto’s talents is heating up. With expectations of a contract that could approach the magnitude of Shohei Ohtani’s recent $700 million deal with the Dodgers, Juan Soto’s free agency is set to make waves in the baseball world as fans and analysts alike anticipate the outcome.
