As the teams pursuing free agent Juan Soto make their offers to the slugging outfielder, the record terms of his contract become more clear.
Two reports Thursday suggest the Boston Red Sox are not merely willing to offer Soto the largest contract in the history of their storied franchise. Depending on the value of the deferred money in his contract, Soto's next contract might be the largest ever given to a free agent in baseball history.
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Citing unnamed sources from Boston, Mike Rodriguez reported Thursday that Soto has a standing offer of 12 years "for around $50 million per season." If the contract averages to $50 million per year, that works out to a $600 million contract.
I just finished a call, and sources from #Boston informed me that the player spoke for over an hour with Rafael Devers about the team. There is a 12-year offer for around $50M per season, and #JuanSoto is interested in the idea of going to the Red Sox. Currently, the Red Sox are… pic.twitter.com/kZiuPvpIG0
— Mike Rodriguez (@mikedeportes) November 28, 2024Hector Gomez of z101 Digital then reported the Red Sox's offer to Soto is for 13 years and $625 million.
The largest contract ever given to a baseball player is Shohei Ohtani's 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Because Ohtani deferred $680 million of his salary, the present-day value of his deal is $437,830,563, according to calculations by the MLB Players Association.
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Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media reported Monday that the Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays have all presented their initial contract offers to Soto. Jon Morosi of MLB Network confirmed the report Monday night. However, only the financial terms of the Red Sox's offer have come to light.
Soto hit 41 homers, scored an AL-leading 128 runs, drove in 109, and reached base at a .419 clip batting ahead of Judge with the New York Yankees in 2024. Soto finished third in MVP voting behind only Judge and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., and was instrumental in leading the Yankees back to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
Soto, 26, has made four All-Star teams, won a World Series ring, and hit 201 home runs across seven seasons with the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees in his career.
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Soto is widely expected to sign during the week of the Winter Meetings in Dallas, Texas, Dec. 8-12. A report Thursday that Soto has agreed to the terms of a contract with Boston is not accurate.
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