Star outfielder Juan Soto of the New York Yankees expressed his desire for stability ahead of Opening Day, knowing he’s approaching free agency this fall. In a recent article by Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic, it was suggested that Soto’s partnership with renowned agent Scott Boras might lead him to seek a significant contract following the 2024 World Series. Although Soto expressed trust in Boras and a desire for collaboration, Boras insisted that Soto is capable of making his own decisions and emphasized his independence as a thinker.
Despite joining the Yankees from the San Diego Padres via trade in December, Soto has quickly endeared himself to New York fans with impressive performances both defensively and offensively. He has made a strong start with the Yankees, hitting .417 with one home run, four RBI, and a 1.101 OPS in his first six regular-season games.
It’s speculated that the bidding for Soto’s services could begin at $500 million, with expectations that teams like the New York Mets, led by owner Steve Cohen, may aggressively pursue him. Analysts anticipate that Soto’s exceptional performance will command a hefty payday, potentially surpassing the $1 billion mark if his performance continues at a high level.
While it’s still early in the season, it seems unlikely that Soto will entertain the idea of accepting a discounted contract, indicating that negotiations with the Yankees and other interested teams will likely be substantial.