The buzz surrounding Juan Soto’s free agency is sweeping through baseball—and for good reason. It’s rare to see a 26-year-old, generational talent hit the market before entering his prime. Soto has already met with several teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and New York Yankees, and is scheduled to meet with the Philadelphia Phillies next.
According to a poll conducted by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, which surveyed 18 MLB executives and insiders, opinions are split on Soto’s future. When asked where he might sign and whether he could secure a contract exceeding $600 million, 11 respondents predicted a deal over $600 million, while seven believed he would fall short of that mark. As for his destination, 12 votes went to the Yankees, four to the Mets, and two to the Blue Jays.
The consensus among insiders is that the Yankees, known for their aggressive spending, are unlikely to be outbid. As Rogers notes, “The Yankees don’t let stars walk. That happens to other teams.” This aligns with the belief that the Steinbrenner family will match or closely match any figure presented by Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, to ensure he stays in pinstripes.
For weeks, my prediction has been that Soto will sign with the Yankees on a contract valued between $630 million and $675 million. While a $700 million deal seems unlikely, it would be thrilling to see his contract break into that historic range.
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