New York Yankees superstar Juan Soto is about to become a very rich man.
Enjoying the best season of his career at 25 years old, Soto is doing everything he can and more to achieve a historic contract in free agency this winter.
There have been plenty of projections doled out throughout the season in terms of what Soto might earn on his next deal.
Tim Britton of The Athletic believes that, when factoring in deferrals, Soto's next contract could surpass that of Shohei Ohtani's deal in both total and average annual value.
"It’s very likely that Soto will set a new record for total value in a contract, eclipsing Ohtani’s $437.8 million with the Dodgers. It’s pretty likely that he sets a new standard for average annual value as well, again breaking past Ohtani," Britton wrote.
While Ohtani's contract on the surface was a 10-year, $700 million deal, the factors of deferred money and luxury-tax calculation resulted in Ohtani's present AAV coming out to $43.8 million, according to Britton.
When considering that, Britton projects Soto will surpass that mark by aiming at a pair of deals. Britton projects Soto could go for a 14-year, $540 million deal at $40 million AAV or a 12-year, $450 million deal at $45 million AAV.
The Yankees are going to have plenty of competition for Soto's services this offseason, especially from their crosstown-rival New York Mets.
As they push to make a playoff run, Yankees fans can only hope Hal Steinbrenner is willing to open the checkbook.
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