MLB sportscaster claims "Juan Soto, Mike Trout not box office stars" like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, doubting $600M deal for Dominican
Juan Soto is arguably the hottest commodity in baseball as the Dominican star hits free agency after a career-best season with the New York Yankees in the AL East team's run through to the World Series.
The four-time All-Star and his agent, Scott Boras, expected to command a remarkable fee, expected to be around the $600 million mark. Despite the price, several teams, including the Yankees are reportedly keen on signing him. However, MLB sportscaster Dan Patrick doesn't think Soto is worth that money as he is not "box office."
During Thursday's episode of the "Dan Patrick Show," the veteran sportscaster opined why teams shouldn't be breaking the bank for the 25-year-old.
"I don't want him," Patrick said shocking his co-hosts.
"It's so much money over so many years. I just don't have any interest in it. I got Ohtani ($700 million deal); he is unique; there is no one like him. Juan Soto, the talented player, bounced around a couple of teams already, gonna bounce around again, and you are going to pay him 600 million?"
He explained his reasoning:
"If I'm paying that kind of money, I want you to be gate attraction, want you to be a box office star. Juan Soto is not a box office star. He is just a really good player. Mike Trout, as great as he is, is not a box-office star. You just go, that guy knows how to play."
When his co-host reminded Dan Patrick of calling Bryce Harper a box office star, the sportscaster doubled down on his earlier comment.
"He is, he would be a box-office kind of player. People show up to see him; Aaron Judge, people show up to see him; Ohtani, people show up to see him. But I don't know if there is anyone else in that category. I'm not paying $600 million for Soto."
MLB broadcaster believes Juan Soto's agent won't let him sign a cheap deal
Later in the video, when Dan Patrick was queried if he'd take Juan Soto for $300 million, the sportscaster said Soto's agent, Scott Boras, wouldn't let him go for that money.
Soto, still just 25, arguably has the best years of his career ahead of him and has been one of the best hitters in the MLB since his debut and World Series triumph with the Washington Nationals.
The Yankees, who got first-hand experience of Soto's capabilities at the plate in 2024, is one of the teams reported to splash the cash for him. However, city rivals, the New York Mets, are also reported to be heavily interested in signing this year's AL MVP finalist.