How much does Soto want?
Right now, the Washington Nationals are residing in Juan Soto’s world. The MLB’s contract negotiations are well-known for being team-friendly. However, Soto is using his newfound influence in the period of a baseball culture shift that is centred on player empowerment. A record-breaking 15-year, $440 million contract was turned down by the 23-year-old sensation. The…
Right now, the Washington Nationals are residing in Juan Soto’s world. The MLB’s contract negotiations are well-known for being team-friendly. However, Soto is using his newfound influence in the period of a baseball culture shift that is centred on player empowerment.
A record-breaking 15-year, $440 million contract was turned down by the 23-year-old sensation. The Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty claims that Soto is still unsatisfied with the new agreement.
The Nationals have so far only complied with two of Soto’s demands. The contract’s length and size meet his requirements, but its average annual value falls short.
According to Dougherty The initial offer is set at $29.3 million, but Soto wants an AAV at the $30 million level.
In order to increase Juan Soto’s AAV, the Nationals will need to either: A) pay him more; or B) pay him the same amount but shorten his deal by 3-5 years. The Nats won’t have it easy, and they won’t be able to conjure up Soto’s asking price by magic. According to Dougherty, no new offer is anticipated any time soon, and as insurance, Washington is looking into trades for Soto.
According to Dougherty, The initial offer is set at $29.3 million, but Soto wants an AAV at the $30 million level.
In order to increase Juan Soto’s AAV, the Nationals will need to either: A) pay him more; or B) pay him the same amount but shorten his deal by 3-5 years. The Nats won’t have it easy, and they won’t be able to conjure up Soto’s asking price by magic. According to Dougherty, no new offer is anticipated any time soon, and as insurance, Washington is looking into trades for Soto.
How much does Soto want?
When Soto signs his next contract, Spotrac, a sports payroll and salary cap website, forecasts that he will make a 15-year, $503 million deal. For the first time ever, Spotrac predicted that a player would sign a contract for more than $500 million.
A contract worth $500 million for Soto would surpass Mookie Betts’ 12-year, $365 million extension with the Dodgers and Mike Trout’s 10-year, $360 million extension with the Angels as the largest in MLB history.
It is unclear whether he will receive $500 million because he still has three more seasons under the team’s ownership before becoming a free agent in 2025. Before then, when there is still no precedence for a $400 million extension, let alone a $500 million extension, the Nationals and Soto might agree to terms on a contract extension.
