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.
Citing unnamed sources from Boston, Mike Rodriguez reported Soto has a standing offer of 12 years “for around $50 million per season.” If the contract averages to $50 million per year, that comes 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, 2024
Hector 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 the contract, the present-day value of his deal is $437,830,563, according to calculations by the MLB Players Association.
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 offers to Soto. Jon Morosi of MLB Network confirmed the report Monday night.
More to come on this story from Newsweek Sports.
Harry How/Getty Images
