"Scott Boras isn't going to do a deal like Shohei Ohtani" - MLB analyst asserts Juan Soto's next contract won’t be like Dodgers star's $700,000,000
After spending a stellar season with the New York Yankees, Juan Soto has finally become a free agent. He is coming off a one-year contract worth $31 million that he signed at the start of the 2024 season with the Yankees.
Many speculated that Juan Soto would secure a hefty contract similar to Shohei Ohtani’s deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and after a solid season, those speculations grew even stronger. However, sports commentator and MLB analyst Eduardo Perez disagrees.
Recently, in discussions with journalist Rob Bradford, Perez shared his insights, saying (starting at 06:51):
“We know one thing Scott Boras isn’t going to do a deal like Shohei Ohtani did. He was one of the guys that was highly critical about it. So Juan Soto is gonna get his money.”
Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani inked a 10-year, $700 million contract in December 2023 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to Ohtani’s contract, $68 million of his salary each season will be deferred, starting in 2034 and continuing until 2043.
Although he disagreed about a heavy contract like Ohtani’s, Eduardo Perez did praise Juan Soto’s prowess in the strike zone:
“I just think all around that I have talked to a lot of managers in the league. He is the best hitter because he understands the strike zone better than anyone else in baseball. I’m talking better than the umpires, better than the pitchers throwing, better than the catcher being able to receive the ball.”
MLB insider Eduardo Perez discusses the potential landing spot for Juan Soto
ESPN’s Eduardo Perez also discussed the Toronto Blue Jays as a potential landing spot for Juan Soto. In his remarks, he said:
"Toronto, to me, is a team that is desperate for a superstar. They want a superstar to complement Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and they’ve talked about extending with Vladdy. But if you can get a Juan Soto there with the last year of a contract of Vladdy- wow."
So far in the 2024 season, Juan Soto has a batting average of .288 with the New York Yankees, along with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, and a .989 OPS.