The Juan Soto Sweepstakes: A Slow but Exciting Journey

The Juan Soto sweepstakes are progressing steadily, with the star outfielder recently receiving initial offers from five teams. However, there's no indication that Soto is close to making a decision on his next contract, and it's expected that multiple rounds of bids will take place.

Recently, it was revealed that Soto prefers a 15-year deal. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, while a shorter deal with a super high annual salary could make sense, it doesn't interest Soto, especially since he's expected to receive opt-outs in any long deal.

If Soto aims to become the highest-paid non-pitcher, his contract could be worth around $650-700 million over 15 years. Currently, the highest-paid player in terms of average annual value (AAV) is his Yankees teammate Aaron Judge, who earns $40 million per year1. At that rate, Soto's contract would be worth $600 million.

Last offseason, Shohei Ohtani signed a $700 million contract for 10 years with the Dodgers, though the cash payouts are largely deferred. Ohtani, a two-way player, bats and pitches at a high level, while Soto is one of the best in MLB at the plate. Most experts expect Soto to field a smaller contract in AAV than Ohtani since he doesn't bring the same two-way impact.

​The baseball world eagerly awaits Soto's decision, as his choice will undoubtedly make headlines and set a new benchmark for player contracts.