## Juan Soto's Free Agency Asking Price Set to Make Waves in MLB

Juan Soto, 26, is emerging as one of the most enticing free agents in Major League Baseball history. Known for his youth, health, and stellar performance—highlighted by a remarkable season with 41 home runs and 180 wRC+ culminating in an 8.1 WAR—Soto is attracting immense interest across the league. As he approaches free agency with representation by Scott Boras, it's clear that every MLB team will be vying for a chance to sign him.

Soto has made it known that he is open to offers from all 30 teams, saying, "I don't know what teams are going to come after me. Definitely, I'll be open to this and every single team. I don't have any doors closed." This wide openness to offers suggests he is primed for a historic payday.

Speculation has been swirling around how much Soto might command, especially given the precedent set by Shohei Ohtani’s groundbreaking contract. Ohtani’s ten-year, $700 million deal, when adjusted for deferred payments, holds a present-day value closer to $46 million per year. Soto’s camp is poised to exceed this figure substantially.

Recent reports, particularly from Jon Heyman at the New York Post, indicate that Soto’s asking price has been set at $700 million over 14 years—this time, without the deferrals seen in Ohtani’s contract. This breaks down to an average annual value (AAV) of $50 million, surpassing Ohtani’s by a notable margin. However, the expectation is that the structure of such a lengthy deal inherently includes elements akin to deferrals.

Interest from top-tier teams is unsurprising. The Yankees, Dodgers, and Mets are expected to drive up the final contract value through their competitive bids. However, it appears that some teams balk at the proposed length, with the Yankees notably hesitant to extend beyond 13 years. Additional teams like the Giants, Blue Jays, and Red Sox, along with some unexpectedly smaller-market clubs, are also forecasted to join the fray.

While Soto’s initial demands may seem ambitious, industry experts anticipate some compromise on either the years or the AAV. Potential contract configurations include a reduced AAV in exchange for the full 14 years or a shorter contract that maintains the $50 million AAV. The possibility of including player-friendly opt-outs adds another layer of complexity to the negotiations.

In sum, Juan Soto’s free agency is set to be a historic event in MLB, with his final contract expected to redefine the standards for player compensation in professional baseball.