JUAN Soto is seeking a record contract worth more than $700million as he enters unrestricted free agency, per reports.
The New York Yankees star, 26, played a pivotal role as his team reached the World Series this year.
Juan Soto has entered unrestricted free agency[/caption]
In the immediate aftermath of the Yankees’ Game 5 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night, Soto received plenty of interest.
According to the New York Post, Soto is hoping to get at least the $700m that Ohtani was handed by the Dodgers last year.
But unlike the Japanese’s contract, which is 97 per cent deferred, Soto is likely to want the money over the next 14 seasons.
MLB free agency begins the day after the World Series finishes, with players eligible to sign for new teams five days later.
Within two hours of the Yankees’ Wednesday loss, eight teams are said to have expressed an interest in Soto.
The following morning, three more entered the race for his signature.
Should he sign a contract worth $700m over 14 years, Soto would become the MLB’s first ever non-deferred $50m a year star.
If Soto were to stay with the Yankees, his contract would likely have to dwarf that of team-mate Aaron Judge.
Judge, 32, penned a nine-year deal worth $360m in December 2022.
He is said to have rejected north of $400m from the San Diego Padres in order to remain at Yankee Stadium.
With there having been some reluctance over Judge’s contract from some among the Yankees’ decision makers, Soto’s camp are believed to be uncertain whether his current team will stump up the cash required for their client to stay.
The New York Mets are expected to make a play to prise Soto from their neighbors.
While the champion Dodgers would also have the financial muscle required.
The Boston Red Sox could get involved in the bidding.
‘EVERY TEAM HAS THE SAME OPPORTUNITY’
While the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays may also be interested.
Ambitious small market teams could even attempt to make a play for Soto.
Their pitches may try to convince Soto of the merits of being their No1 franchise player, having always had to share the limelight with Judge in New York.
Soto spoke about his future following Wednesday’s Game 5 loss.
“We’re going to be available to every team,” he claimed. “I feel like every team has the same opportunity.
“I don’t want to say anybody has the advantage because, at the end of the day, we’re going to look at what we have and how much they want me.”
