”Juan Soto is going to want it to start with 701 million" - MLB Analyst predicts record-breaking deal structure with deferrals
Juan Soto is officially a free agent. While MLB free agency hasn't begun, the next thing on the agenda for Soto is his next contract, while all the interested teams looking to sign him watch closely. That contract, coming off a career year and a World Series berth, could be historic.
Former executive Steve Phillips believes it could rival the biggest deal in sports.
"It's going to start with a seven. It's going to be 14 years," Phillips said on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. "He's going to want it to start at $701 million. He's going to want to break Ohtani's record... The AAV can be less while the number of years can make it more. I suspect you're going to get a deal over $700 million with some deferrals."
He believes this is the best outcome. Whatever team signs him can, thanks to deferrals, sign him for closer to $40 million AAV. But Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, can say they set the record and surpassed Shohei Ohtani in the same breath. It's a win-win for both sides.
If it's the New York Yankees who re-sign Soto, this is even more advantageous. Phillips said that wouldn't upset Aaron Judge, who is currently the highest-paid Yankee and keeps Soto in town.
Juan Soto doesn't name a favorite in free agency
Juan Soto has been media trained. Right after the World Series ended, the questions naturally began to shift to his free agency. Despite his seeming affection for the New York Yankees and their fans, he didn't cite them as the favorites and put off potential other bidders.
He said via the New York Post:
“We’re going to be available to every team. I feel like every team has the same opportunity. I don’t want to say anybody has the advantage because, at the end of the day, we’re going to look at what we have and how much they want me.”
The Yankees do remain the favorites to sign the slugger, though. They have the money, the team quality and the knowledge of how he fits into their lineup and clubhouse after their one season together.