Juan Soto Has Received $660 Million Offer, per Report
Juan Soto, the top free agent in Major League Baseball's 2024-25 class, has reportedly received his first big contract offer - according to one insider, anyway.
The former New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals outfielder, who is expected to receive interest from several different teams, has reportedly met with a couple of different franchises out in California, along with his agent, Scott Boras. According to MLB insider Hector Gomez, who has strong ties to the Dominican Republic, where Soto is from, an offer has been made following at least one of those meetings. Gomez reports that New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has presented Soto with a blockbuster offer.
The Mets, coming off a National League Championship Series loss to the Dodgers, have reportedly offered Soto $660 million. If that's all present day money, it's the biggest contract in baseball history. Shohei Ohtani landed a $700 million deal with the Dodgers, though much of it is deferred.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees reacts after striking out during the eighth inning of the game against the Toronto Blue Jays during the home opener at Yankee Stadium on April 05, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Soto, 26, is coming off a 2024 season with the Yankees in which he hit .288 with 41 home runs, 109 RBI and an OPS of .989. He was a finalist for American League MVP.
Former MLB player Carlos Baerga reportedly shared news of the contract offer with Gomez.
Other insiders are skeptical an offer was made, though. MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided reports that no offer has been made to Soto yet.
"These meetings really are an introduction for Soto to meet the potential leadership groups of a team that could end up being with Soto for the next 10 to 15 years. I do not believe at this point that any financial offers have been made" Murray said on the "Baseball Insiders" podcast, "This is the just the beginning of the process. We're not at the point where offers are going to be made."
Soto could be the first big free agent domino to fall, as he could open up the market for the rest of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 free agents. But it would be surprising if he signs before the Winter Meetings, which are set to take place in Dallas, Texas from Dec. 8 to Dec. 11.
The Mets could be the favorite to land Soto, though. The Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Giants and Nationals have also been linked to Soto.
The 2019 World Series champion is one of the best free agents the game has seen. He will almost certainly end up signing a contract north of $500 million and perhaps $600 million, too.
Where do you think Soto will sign? Sound off in the comments below.
