A new report on New York Yankees star Juan Soto reveals that when the player and team eventually have serious contract talks in the future, the three-time All-Star is going to give his agent a serious amount of influence on the asking price.
Despite a loss on Tuesday, the Yankees head into the MLB games today with a sparkling 5-1 record and kicked the season off with a four-game drubbing of rivals the Houston Astros. While various players deserve credit for the strong start, a lot of praise should go in the direction of outfielder Juan Soto.
- Juan Soto contract projection: 10 years, $500+ million
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The man the organization made a blockbuster offseason trade for has been everything New York fans hoped for and more at the plate, in the field, and even in the locker room. While it has created a great deal of excitement about the team’s prospects in 2024 it adds more weight to his impending free agency after the season.
The three-time All-Star turned down a huge $440 million offer from the Washington Nationals several years ago and has denied overtures by the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees to sign an extension so he can test his value on the open market this winter. Yet, a new report from The Athletic’s Brittany Ghiroli added new layers to upcoming contract negotiations that should concern Pinstripes fans.
Many laughed at agent Scott Boras in March because, despite his best efforts to get clients Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, and JD Martinez massive long-term deals, all three settled for short-term pacts so they could get into camp after staying on the open market for months. However, Ghiroli reports that sources claim Boras holds “too much influence” over Juan Soto.
The starting point for any Juan Soto contract will be $500 million
Executives in the sport believe Boras has input on where Soto hits in the order, what he says to the media, and one source in San Diego claimed the outfielder was “fully Boras-ized.” The two also grew closer as Soto leaned on his agent when the 25-year-old dealt with the blowback of turning down the Nationals’ $440 million offer.
It all means that, unlike Snell and Montgomery, Soto is likely to be in locked step with contract demands Boras sets after the season. So unless the Yankees win a championship, they may not have the leverage some hope for and the duo will be looking to “set the market” and go for as big a deal as possible. Sources claim $500 million will be the starting point of any pact.
While it is bad news for the Pinstripes, wealthy organizations like the New York Mets — a team with the wealthiest owner in the league and rumored to be interested — Philadelphia Phillies, or Boston Red Sox have a real chance to land the superstar if they are willing to meet his and his agent’s massive asking price.
- Juan Soto stats (2024): .417 AVG, .517 OBP, .583 SLG, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
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