About s
Could Juan Soto’s Contract Surpass Shohei Ohtani’s $700 Million Deal with the Dodgers?
As the MLB offseason looms, speculation is growing about whether New York Yankees star Juan Soto could command a free-agent deal that surpasses Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In June, ESPN conducted a survey among 28 MLB insiders, including team executives, agents, and journalists, regarding Soto’s potential free-agent contract. Seventeen of the respondents predicted that his deal would exceed $500 million. Notably, three experts projected a figure over $600 million, with estimates ranging from 14 years and $600 million to 10 years and $655 million.
However, no one forecasted a $700 million contract, which Ohtani secured with the Dodgers in December of last year. Ohtani’s deal remains the largest single contract in North American professional sports history. Yet, most of the $700 million—about 97.1%—won’t be paid during the contract period. Instead, Ohtani will receive $680 million in deferred payments from 2034 to 2043. This unique "deferral" clause allows the Dodgers to maintain financial flexibility to sign other players while remaining competitive, an idea reportedly proposed by Ohtani himself.
When adjusted for present value, Ohtani’s contract totals $460 million, according to the method used by the MLB Players Association. This has led many to believe that Soto could surpass Ohtani in terms of present value, as he would only need to exceed the $460 million threshold. However, reaching a contract that matches Ohtani’s $700 million in nominal value seems practically impossible, according to most analysts.
Journalist Brittany Ghiroli from The Athletic addressed this possibility in an article titled, "Even a Yankees World Series Win Won't Make It Easier to Keep Juan Soto." She wrote, "The idea that Soto could exceed Shohei Ohtani’s contract is nothing more than a pipe dream. Unless a significant portion of his contract is deferred, it’s highly unlikely that Soto will sign a deal as massive as Ohtani’s."
Ghiroli further emphasized that it is improbable for Soto to agree to any deal involving deferred payments. Additionally, his agent, Scott Boras, is well-known for rejecting contracts with such clauses.
To illustrate this point, Ghiroli recalled a moment in 2022 when Soto rejected a massive long-term extension offer from the Washington Nationals. At the time, the Nationals offered him a 15-year, $440 million contract, but Soto and Boras turned it down due to the significant amount of deferred money. Boras, who is known to despise deferral clauses, refused the offer almost immediately.
There’s no indication that Soto’s stance on deferred payments has changed. If he insists on receiving all his money within the contract’s duration, a $700 million deal becomes highly unlikely, according to Ghiroli.
Nevertheless, some Yankees fan sites believe that Soto’s pursuit of the largest contract possible remains his priority. Essentially Sports stated, “Soto is unlikely to leave money on the table for the benefit of other players. Given his age and performance this season, he is poised to sign a contract exceeding $500 million, making him the second-highest-paid player after Ohtani.”
Others argue that a $700 million deal for Soto isn’t entirely out of reach. Former MLB scout Bernie Pleskoff, writing for Forbes, noted on October 18th, "Soto, who turns 26 on October 25, is set to be the centerpiece of an intense bidding war among MLB teams. Although Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers at 29, Soto is three years younger. It’s not impossible that Soto could sign a deal surpassing Ohtani’s and become the highest-paid player in history."
If Soto were to secure the same annual average value (AAV) as Yankees teammate Aaron Judge—$40 million—over a 15-year contract, he could land a $600 million deal. If his AAV were raised to $46 million, the contract could total $690 million, and with a $47 million AAV, it could reach $705 million.
Ultimately, whether Soto surpasses Ohtani’s record depends on how MLB teams evaluate his AAV and the length of his contract. The bidding war for Soto is expected to shape the next chapter of his career and possibly set a new precedent for player salaries in Major League Baseball. For more insights and analysis on Soto’s potential contract and other player signings, 메이저사이트 정보 can provide detailed updates.