As MLB’s offseason officially kicks into gear, all eyes are on Juan Soto and his potential megadeal, with experts predicting a groundbreaking $622 million contract to keep him in New York. The New York Yankees, fresh off a World Series run, are hoping to lock in the left-handed slugger, forming a powerhouse duo with Aaron Judge for the long haul. The pressure is high, though, as the free agency clock ticks down to 5 p.m. Eastern on November 4, when players can officially sign with teams.
MLB insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic sees the Yankees matching any offers from other big-market teams like the Dodgers and Mets, forecasting that they’ll pony up $622 million for Soto. “The Yankees match the Mets’ and Dodgers’ best offers to Juan Soto,” Bowden wrote, suggesting that Soto will remain the heart of New York’s lineup for years. With Soto’s rare blend of power, patience, and youth, Bowden argues there’s no way New York lets him slip away.
At 26, Soto’s potential contract could set records as the second-highest in baseball, trailing only Shohei Ohtani. His youth makes this free agency unprecedented; Soto is widely considered one of the top players to hit the market in the past decade. In his debut season with the Yankees, he lived up to every bit of the hype, batting .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs, a league-best 128 runs scored, and an impressive 1.106 OPS. Soto’s October heroics added to his value, as he met high-stakes moments and helped propel the Yankees to the World Series. He’s even expected to finish third in the American League MVP race behind only Judge and Bobby Witt Jr., a testament to his impact on New York’s success.
Soto, represented by super-agent Scott Boras, has expressed that while he’s “happy” with the Yankees, he’s keeping an open mind about offers from other teams. “I’m really happy with the city, with the team,” Soto said on October 30, “but at the end of the day we’re going to look at every situation, every offer we get, and take it from there.” Soto’s approach indicates a willingness to consider every opportunity, which means teams like the Dodgers and Mets could still factor in.
With only a handful of franchises realistically able to absorb a $600 million contract, the Yankees’ deep pockets give them a strong chance of retaining Soto. However, with Ohtani’s massive deal looming, Soto’s camp is likely to wait and see how the market develops, especially since Boras is known for pushing negotiations to maximize his clients’ value.
Only time will tell if Soto will be donning Yankees pinstripes in 2025, but if the Yankees are serious about winning now, they’ll have to go all-in for one of baseball’s most elite talents.
