As the New York Yankees aim for a postseason return in 2024, looming questions about their future remain, especially concerning outfielder Juan Soto, who is anticipated to become a free agent at the end of this season.
The primary concern is whether the Yankees can secure the 25-year-old superstar with a long-term contract. With the trade deadline behind us, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer offered “way too early” free agent predictions for ten players. He forecasts that Soto will re-sign with the Yankees on a monumental 15-year, $520 million deal.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner may have hindered negotiations by lamenting about “unsustainable” payrolls in May, but Rymer believes that funds should already be allocated for Soto. He pointed out that the Yankees could potentially sign Soto without significantly increasing their payroll, considering the substantial contracts set to expire this winter.
To date, only Shohei Ohtani has secured a contract exceeding $500 million, with his 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers valued at $700 million. However, due to a historic number of deferrals, the present-day value of Ohtani’s contract is about $460 million. Depending on how Soto’s contract is structured, a $500 million deal could make it the richest present-day value contract in MLB history.
If the Yankees manage to sign Soto to such a contract, it would not only ensure his presence in New York for the long term but also set a new benchmark for financial commitments in baseball. The team’s ability to balance its payroll while acquiring such a high-value player will be crucial to its future success and financial health.
