The Dodgers, whose payroll has risen to $320 million for the purposes of MLB’s competitive balance taxes, have the biggest salary structure in baseball, if not history. Not only that, but the Dodgers’ future commitments total $1.4 billion. With that in mind, what’s extra $701 million for someone like Juan Soto?
Okay, that’s getting ahead of ourselves. Soto appears to be very pleased with the Yankees, and the Yankees appear to be very happy with him, implying that the marriage may withstand the risks of Soto’s future free agency (assuming the extremely rare scenario that he signs an in-season deal). However, if there is bidding on Soto, an American League executive informed MLB.com that the Dodgers will undoubtedly be engaged.
Scott Boras, Soto’s agent, does not normally negotiate in-season extensions. But this would be the case for Soto regardless of his reps.
“A 25-year-old Juan Soto has to hit free agency regardless of the agent,” the executive at the AL stated. “He’s having an exceptional year as a player. …” There are teams capable of winning that have money. The Dodgers are out there. The Mets are out there. There aren’t many, but there are spots for him to land.
Dodgers Would Have Unmatched Lineup
A one-through-four of Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, Soto, and Freddie Freeman does not appear fair, and the purpose of the MBL’s tax system is to prohibit a team like the Dodgers from assembling such a lineup. However, it is not impossible, and on the financial front, the Dodgers have demonstrated a willingness to push the boundaries of what is achievable.
Soto is unlikely to want to leave New York, but the Dodgers would appear to be the most serious threat to the Yankees in that regard.
Soto was acquired from the Padres in a big offseason trade and has had a strong debut year in New York. His patience with his contract has been notable, and this adds to rumors that he will not sign an extension right now. He declined the Nationals’ “last-best” offer before being moved to the Padres in 2022, which was 15 years and $440 million.
This season, Soto has a.315/.416/.551 slash line with the Yankees, who have the best record (33-16) in the American League. Again, this boosts Soto’s chances of receiving a record-breaking contract.
Juan Soto Contract Could Be a Record-Breaker
The question of how much of a record is debatable.
In the offseason, contract expert Tim Britton of the Athletic broke down Soto’s prospective package in depth, projecting $250 million for the five years through Soto’s 30th birthday, and $32 million each year for the next nine years.
“Add those two pieces together and you get a 14-year deal worth right around $540 million in free agency,” wrote Britton.
At Baseball America, however, they adopted a riskier approach. Britton stated that Soto’s agreement might be contingent on Ohtani’s deal, and this was before Ohtani signed with the Dodgers for the largest-ever contract, $700 million.
Despite the fact that he is not a pitcher, Soto may attempt to break the record. That was a bold preseason forecast from the always-reliable Baseball America, which predicted Soto’s next contract would be 15 years and $701 million with the Yankees rather than the Dodgers.
“Does this really count as a bold prediction, projecting Juan Soto will get the biggest contract in history?” the website said. “Perhaps not, if you believe the Yankees will do whatever it takes to keep him. However, Juan Soto is simply a batter and does not pitch, thus in any other situation, he would be unlikely to command as much as Shohei Ohtani.
“However, with a top-shelf talent like Soto, making history with the largest contract in history will be a key priority for Scott Boras.”
