Bidding For New York Yankees’ Juan Soto Begins After The World Series

New York Yankees All Star outfielder, Juan Soto, can become a free agent following the World Series.

If the Yankees do not extend his contract, Soto, who turns 26 October 25, will likely entertain a bidding war among several Major League Baseball teams.

Soto’s current contract is $31 million with New York.

On December 11, 2023 slugger Shohei Ohtani signed a massive 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ohtani was 29 at the time, and became the highest paid player in MLB history.

Soto will be three years younger than Ohtani when he signs his next contract.

There is speculation Soto’s deal will land somewhere in the $600 million range, for 10 years.

Or, it may be possible Soto eclipses Ohtani’s agreement, making Soto the highest paid player in history.

Because of his age and incredible talent, several potential suitors may engage in a bidding war for Soto’s services.

This old scout believes there will be engagement from four MLB clubs hoping to land Soto.

Represented by the Boros Corporation, it is likely negotiations will be lengthy and complicated, with Soto potentially remaining unsigned until after the new year.

In no particular order, here are the four teams this scout feels may participate in the Soto Sweepstakes:

1- New York Yankees

The tandem of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto has analysts comparing the duo to former Yankees, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

Judge hit 58 homers this past season, while Soto chipped in 41 of his own.

Judge and Soto have led the offense to a potential spot in the World Series.

Judge earns $40 million annually from the 9-year, $360 million contract he signed in 2023.

Gerrit Cole earns $36 million annually from the 9-year, $324 million contract he signed in 2020.

Carlos Rodon earns close to $28 million from the 6-year, $162 million contract he signed in 2023.

Giancarlo Stanton has three more years remaining on the 13-year contract he signed in 2015. He will be paid $32 million, $29 million, and $25 million in those three years.

The contracts for Judge, Cole, Rodon, and Stanton may be reason for the Yankees to cap their offer to Soto at an amount insufficient to land the superstar outfielder.

Signing Soto may tie up payroll resources needed to maintain or even improve the team’s current roster.

2-New York Mets

Yankees city rival New York Mets may have designs on signing Soto, who could be the final piece to a roster that has taken the Mets to the National League Championship Series.

However, Mets slugger Pete Alonso is also entering free agency, and is playing on a 1-year, $20 million contract.

Alonso, 29, will command a huge, lengthy contract. He hit 37, 40, and 46 homers, before adding 34 long balls this season.

Mets owner Steve Cohen gave shortstop Francisco Lindor a 10-year, $341 million contract in 2022. Lindor makes $34.1 million a year.

Brandon Nimmo takes home $20 million annually in his 8-year, 162 million contract, which he signed in 2022.

Edwin Diaz signed a 5-year deal worth $102 million in 2023.

However, money may not be an issue to Cohen.

Cohen, and his president of baseball operations, David Stearns, may feel Juan Soto can keep the Mets in contention for years to come. Especially if Alonso returns.

3- Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have never shied away from bidding on a superstar.

Already boasting a lineup that includes Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, Will Smith, and Max Muncy, imagine what further damage Soto can do to big league pitchers!

Hernandez and pitcher Jack Flaherty are pending free agents.

Ohtani’s contract is the largest, but Betts signed a $365 million contract that won’t expire until 2032.

Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has his own $325 million deal that expires in 2031.

Freddie Freeman will earn $27 million annually, until 2027.

This year, Will Smith signed a $140 million contract that expires in 2033.

Money likely won’t hinder the Dodgers from signing Soto.

4- San Francisco Giants

In the recent past, the San Francisco Giants have bid on major stars, including both Judge and Soto.

With Buster Posey handling baseball operations, Soto may wish to consider the Giants for his next team.

The Giants highest paid player is Matt Chapman, who will begin a 6-year, $151 contract next season.

Jung Hoo Lee signed a 6-year, $113 million contract in 2024.

Pitcher Logan Webb is signed through 2028, on a $90 million contract he signed in 2024.

Blake Snell has a $30 million player option for next season, which he may or may not exercise.

Pitchers Jordan Hicks and Robbie Ray also have long-term, expensive contracts.

With a current payroll just over $200 million, the San Francisco Giants may entice Juan Soto to come to San Francisco.