The New York Yankees made a big deal for outfielder Juan Soto this offseason, hoping to help them regain prominence in the AL East after missing the playoffs last season.
But after Soto’s acquisition, a contract extension is right around the corner as the former Padres home run hitter enters his final year of arbitration in 2024. The Athletic’s Brendan Coote and Chris Kirchner recently made some bold predictions for the new year, including a massive extension for Soto at the end of next season. The Yankees could give Juan Soto a big contract extension next yearThe Yankees expect Soto to make a major impact on offense. A three-time All-Star, he set a new career high with 35 home runs in 2023. Kuti and Kirchner predict Soto will surpass that career mark and set a new one in 2024.”With a jersey and a $500 million free agent salary on the horizon, Soto will hit 66 home runs, most of them at shortstop at Yankee Stadium,” Couti predicted. If Soto has a really good, record-setting season, he could be in line for a huge extension as an unrestricted free agent in 2025.Kirchner plans a 12-year, $550 million extension for Soto in 2025 after a record-setting 2024 season.”If Soto goes out and breaks Judge’s AL record for the most valuable franchise in sports in a single season, that contract doesn’t seem right,” Kirchner explained. “And the Yankees are going to have to pay for it.” After turning 62, Judge took advantage of every opportunity in contract negotiations with the Yankees. “If this is the result, so will Soto.”In MLB history, there have only been 9 instances where a player has hit more than 60 home runs in a season. Soto will become the 10th player in history to accomplish such a feat and the fourth player this millennium. Soto is incredibly talented, but breaking Aaron Judge’s record is no easy task for any player and would be a possible outcome.Additionally, Soto’s projected $550 million expansion would have an AAV of $45.83 million. That would make Soto the second highest paid player in the league. This is a possible outcome.Soto won’t break any records in 2024, but he’s still a three-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger and has finished in the top 10 in MVP voting in four of his six career seasons. At just 25 years old, Soto has already built an impressive resume and is set to earn a big payday in 2025.
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