It’s no secret that Juan Soto is the hottest name in baseball right now.
After a fantastic 2024 season with the Yankees—where he hit 41 home runs, drove in 109 RBIs, and posted a strong .288 batting average—Soto is looking for his next team.
At just 26 years old, he’s not only a superstar now but has years of greatness ahead.
This makes his free agency a huge deal.
Teams are lining up to make their pitch, knowing they may need to pay record-breaking money to sign him.
Let’s break down where things stand and what it means for the Yankees, the Mets, and the rest of MLB.
- Soto is expected to sign the richest contract ever for an MLB position player, possibly between $500–$700 million.
- The Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Blue Jays are all competing, but the Mets are seen as favorites due to their financial firepower.
- Soto’s decision is likely coming soon, with the Winter Meetings starting December 9 in Dallas.
How Much Will Juan Soto Get Paid?
Juan Soto isn’t just a good player—he’s elite.
Teams are willing to spend big because of his talent and age.
Most experts think Soto’s next contract will be in the $500–$600 million range, but some believe it could hit $700 million.
If this happens, Soto will have the largest contract ever for an MLB position player.
Why the big price tag?
- Age: At 26, Soto is young compared to most free agents. Teams will be paying for his prime years.
- Performance: In 2024, Soto put up an amazing .288/.419/.569 slash line. That’s a high batting average, an incredible ability to get on base, and serious power.
- Market: Big-market teams like the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, and Red Sox are driving up the price with their bids.
Simply put, Juan Soto is worth every penny, and the team that signs him knows it will get a franchise-changing player.
Yankees vs. Mets: The New York Tug-of-War
The Yankees and Mets are seen as the two top teams in the race for Soto. Here’s how things are shaping up for both clubs.
Yankees: Desperate to Keep Him
The Yankees aren’t just hoping Soto stays—they need him to stay.
After making their first World Series appearance since 2009, letting Soto walk would feel like a gut punch.
Aaron Judge, Soto’s teammate and the Yankees’ captain, clarified that he wants Soto back.
But Judge has been surprisingly quiet in his approach, which has left some people scratching their heads.
“I think the best thing is to give those guys space. I talked to him all season. He knows how we feel about him. The most important thing is to let him do his thing … and come to the right decision for him and his family,” Judge explained.
Not everyone agrees with this hands-off method.
“If you want him, sometimes you just have to flex that muscle a bit because you’re Aaron Judge, man. You are the LeBron James of the game right now, so just be him,” Former Mets pitcher Trevor May, on the Foul Territory podcast, said.
May wasn’t done, either, “What do we know about Aaron Judge? He is not the most in-your-face, strong personality. I-am-going-to-insert-myself-into-this-situation guy.”
“That doesn’t seem like something he’s comfortable or likes doing. I understand that comes with the captain tag. That’s just what it feels like to me.”
The Yankees are trying to make a strong financial offer, but is it enough to compete with the Mets?
Meanwhile, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has been meeting with team leaders to figure out how much money they’re willing to spend.
Mets: The Deep-Pocketed Favorites
On the other side of town, the Mets are doing everything they can to land Soto.
Owner Steve Cohen is known for spending big, and many experts think he’ll make the biggest offer.
The Athletic reporter Andy McCullough said,
“Scott Boras referred to Soto as ‘the Mona Lisa of the museum.’ Steve Cohen is baseball’s most prolific art collector… Cohen has the deepest pockets. He will dip into them to sign Soto to the richest contract in baseball history.”
If the Yankees can’t match the Mets’ offer, Soto will likely end up in Queens, leaving Yankees fans heartbroken.
Other Players in the Soto Sweepstakes
While the Yankees and Mets are the favorites, they aren’t the only teams chasing Soto.
- Dodgers: Fresh off a World Series win, the Dodgers have the resources but might not want to shell out for a megadeal after already spending big in recent years.
- Red Sox: Boston is desperate to be relevant again after missing the playoffs for three straight years. They’ve been loud about their interest in Soto and other top free agents, but will they actually outbid the competition?
- Blue Jays: Toronto could surprise everyone by making an aggressive play for Soto, but with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette nearing free agency, they’d need to break the bank.
When Will Soto Make His Decision?
The MLB Winter Meetings start on December 9 in Dallas, and that’s when insiders expect Soto to make his decision.
Teams are already meeting with Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, but the final offers and negotiations will likely take place during the meetings.
This timeline means we won’t have to wait much longer to find out where Soto is heading.
What Happens if the Yankees Don’t Get Soto?
If the Yankees lose Soto, it will feel like a massive failure.
Fans would be outraged, especially after coming so close to winning a championship.
However, the Yankees have backup plans in case Soto chooses another team.
Backup options:
- Signing other free agents like Christian Walker or Willy Adames.
- Trading for a big-name player like Cody Bellinger.
- Use the money they save on Soto to sign an elite pitcher like Corbin Burnes or Blake Snell.
Still, none of these options would have the same impact as keeping Soto.
The Decision That Will Shape MLB’s Future
Juan Soto’s free agency is the most exciting storyline in baseball right now.
Whether he stays with the Yankees, joins the Mets, or surprises everyone with another choice, his decision will shape the future of MLB.
For now, all we can do is wait and see where the dominoes fall.
Will it be the Yankees, the Mets, or someone else?
One thing’s for sure: whichever team lands, Soto will instantly become a World Series favorite.
Stay tuned, baseball fans. The drama is just getting started.
