Thirteen experts polled by The Post predict on average that Yankees slugging superstar Juan Soto will land a record $520.09 million contract.
Expert predictions (agents not connected to Soto’s rep BorasCorp) range from “(Mike) Trout’s contract” — $426.5 million — to $600 million.
The predictions were as follows (some included years):
- $540-$550 million
- 14 years, $550 million
- 10 years, 550 million
- 12 years, $600 million
- 10 years, $500 million
- 12 years, $480 million
- 13 years, $520 million
- $450-$500 million
- $500-$550 million
- $550-million plus
- $500 million
- “Trout’s contract (12 years, $426.5 million)”
- “Definitely more in present-day value than (Shohei) Ohtani’s $437.4 million”
- “A lot of cake”
*I took the average of guesses that are ranges and didn’t estimate any figure for “more than (Ohtani)” or “a lot of cake.”
Beyond being an all-time great hitter, Soto’s other major advantage is he’s 25, which means about four/five more of the best years than the average free agent star.
Ohtani’s $700 million deal (with $680M deferred) is still relevant, as is Aaron Judge’s $360 million deal, but those superstars were about 30 upon signing.
Alex Rodriguez at 25 doubled the highest contract in North American sports back in 2000 ($252 million to $126M million for Kevin Garnett).
One other contract to consider is the $325 million Dodgers deal (plus $50.6 million posting fee) for Japanese import Yoshinobu Yamamoto, also 25.
Soto himself turned down $440 million over 15 years from his original Nationals.
A couple agents suggested they believe the Yankees would prefer to limit Soto’s annual salary to Judge’s $40M, although Soto will be 4 ½ years younger for free agency, and it’s unlikely the win-obsessed Judge minds being the second-highest paid-Yankee. (I don’t believe that’s the case, anyway).
Beyond his $550 million-plus guess, one agent added: “If the Yankees and Mets get into a pissing match, the sky’s the limit.”
