Sources close to the New York Yankees top echelon have told Pinstripesnation that the team is preparing to offer Juan Soto a 13-year, $575 million fixed contract. Meanwhile, the Mets are also reportedly planning a comparable annual salary package but with a 10-year duration. The Yankees’ ownership has indicated a willingness to include an additional year but with a $25 million club option.
While many industry observers drew parallels between Juan Soto’s potential contract and Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers agreement, MLB analyst Eduardo Perez has presented a contrasting perspective. In his conversation with journalist Rob Bradford, Perez emphasized that Scott Boras, Juan Soto’s agent, would pursue a strategy different from Ohtani’s deal, noting Boras’s previous criticism of that contract structure.
For context, Ohtani’s landmark deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, signed in December 2023, spans 10 years and amounts to $700 million, featuring significant salary deferrals of $68 million per season from 2034 through 2043. It amounts to $46 million AAV.
Internal sources indicate Juan Soto’s experience with the Yankees has been positive, despite his reserved demeanor following Game 5. The organization values both his exceptional talent and personal qualities. However, industry analysts believe financial considerations and championship potential will likely drive his decision-making process for his next long-term commitment. Speculation suggests Juan Soto might seek a 14-year term or potentially pressing to become baseball’s first player to command $50 million annually without deferrals.
Juan Soto’s 2024 performance with the Yankees has been impressive, maintaining a .288 batting average while accumulating 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, and a .989 OPS.
The Yankees’ historical approach to contract negotiations, as demonstrated in the Aaron Judge signing, raises questions about their willingness to set market precedents. Judge’s $360 million deal materialized only after matching the Giants’ offer, following internal deliberation and owner Hal Steinbrenner’s intervention.
Currently, the Yankees appear focused on preserving their formidable left-right hitting combination rather than maintaining salary parity with Judge’s $40 million annual figure. While Juan Soto has diplomatically maintained that all 30 teams are under consideration, his positive impact on team dynamics has been noted.
Competition for Juan Soto’s signature extends beyond the Yankees. The Mets, backed by baseball’s wealthiest owner Steve Cohen, and the Dodgers, strengthened by Ohtani-generated revenue, possess comparable financial capabilities. Additional interest has emerged from major market teams including the Giants, Blue Jays, and Red Sox, alongside surprising inquiries from two smaller market franchises. While some teams are promoting the opportunity for Juan Soto to be their franchise cornerstone, rather than sharing the spotlight with established stars like Judge or Ohtani, sources suggest this aspect may not significantly influence his decision.
Juan Soto turns down Yankees formal qualifying offer
The New York Yankees’ qualifying offer to Juan Soto was quickly turned down, according to insider Josh Goldberg. After a standout season with the Yankees, Soto is now in line for one of the largest contracts in baseball history, with projections nearing $700 million.
Juan Soto was one of 13 MLB players who received qualifying offers from their teams ahead of free agency. These offers are valued at the average of the top 125 salaries in the league, which for the upcoming season translates to $21.05 million.
The swift rejection was anticipated by industry analysts, who recognize that Soto’s expected market value far exceeds the qualifying offer. Experts predict his next contract could be worth around $45-50 million annually, making acceptance of the one-year offer highly unlikely.
This decision aligns with Juan Soto’s previous statements about his free agency plans. He has consistently expressed a desire to maximize his market value, indicating that he would not opt for a one-year deal with the Yankees when a much larger payday awaits. While the Yankees’ qualifying offer is a necessary procedural formality, Juan Soto’s focus on securing a significant long-term contract made this outcome all but certain.
Yankees’ alternatives to Juan Soto
The New York Yankees are at the forefront of Major League Baseball’s offseason conversations, largely due to Juan Soto’s status as the top free agent on the market.
After Juan Soto’s season with the Yankees concluded following his trade acquisition, ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney has highlighted Pete Alonso as a possible target for the Yankees if he signs elsewhere. Olney reports that a rival executive believes if Soto moves to the Mets, their shared agent, Scott Boras, could recommend Alonso to the Yankees as a way to bolster their power-hitting needs.
While Alonso would not directly replace Juan Soto in the outfield, he could help fill the offensive gap in the Yankees’ lineup. Furthermore, his addition would address the first base opening left by the Yankees’ decision to decline Anthony Rizzo’s team option.
Alonso recently wrapped up his $20.5 million contract year with the Mets, showcasing his power throughout the season with a .240 batting average, 34 home runs, and 88 RBIs over 162 games. While these figures are strong, they fall short of his career highs, including 53 home runs in his rookie year of 2019 and 131 RBIs in the 2022 season.
A potential signing of Juan Soto by the Mets could diminish the chances of Pete Alonso returning to New York. In this scenario, ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney suggests that Alonso’s left-handed hitting could serve as a valuable replacement for Juan Soto’s offensive contributions while also filling the first base gap left by Anthony Rizzo.
Analysis from The Athletic emphasizes Alonso’s increased market value following a strong postseason, where he hit three opposite-field home runs during the Mets’ playoff run. Although the report points out Alonso’s deep ties to the Mets, it also recognizes that several contending teams are showing significant interest in him, eager to add his consistent 40-home run power to their lineups.
Defensively, Alonso proved to be dependable at first base last season, making just seven errors in 161 games with the Mets. Market projections from The Athletic indicate that Alonso could secure a seven-year deal worth around $189 million in free agency.
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