Free agency has officially opened, allowing players to engage in discussions with teams. Players will be able to sign contracts starting five days after the World Series, which concludes at 5 p.m. Eastern Time on November 4. Trades are also on the table, with some already taking place across the league. For the New York Yankees, the situation surrounding Juan Soto could be resolved more quickly than anticipated.
Soto, undeniably one of Major League Baseball’s elite players, is set to attract numerous teams willing to make significant offers. The Yankees have the financial resources to sign the slugger, but ultimately, Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, will determine his next destination.
Jim Bowden from The Athletic recently predicted that Soto could sign a staggering $622 million contract to remain in New York. “The Yankees will match the best offers from the Mets and Dodgers to secure Juan Soto, keeping the Soto-Aaron Judge duo in the Yankees lineup for years to come,” Bowden wrote on November 1.
Soto’s Perspective on Free Agency
In the past nine months, Soto has been open with the media about his free agency plans. He and Boras are clearly aligned, as the left-handed outfielder is willing to consider offers from all interested teams.
With a potential $600 million contract at stake, only a few teams will realistically be in the running, primarily big-market franchises with ample financial resources.
Following the Yankees’ World Series exit, Soto expressed his happiness with the organization but acknowledged he would evaluate all offers. “I’m really happy with the city and the team, but at the end of the day, we’ll assess every situation and every offer we receive,” Soto said on October 30, according to Gabe Lacques of USA Today. “I’m open to all teams. No doors are closed.”
Soto: The Premier Free Agent
The prediction of Soto landing a contract worth over $600 million should not surprise the Yankees or any other prospective suitors. Many consider him among the top two players hitting the free agency market in the last decade, and at just 26 years old, he is expected to be well-compensated.
While there are several notable players available, Soto is viewed as the most coveted, including by Bowden, who praised his performance in his first season with the Yankees.
“Has Juan Soto found his permanent home with the Yankees? After an impressive year, can they keep him? He certainly met expectations in his debut season in the Bronx, boasting a .288 batting average with a .419 on-base percentage, 41 home runs, and leading the league with 128 runs scored,” Bowden wrote on October 31. “He’s projected to finish third in American League MVP voting, just behind Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. He has excelled in key moments this postseason, with a remarkable 1.106 OPS.
“All signs point to Soto becoming the second-highest-paid player in baseball history, trailing only Shohei Ohtani. He is a generational talent entering free agency at only 26 and is likely to secure a 15-year contract.”
