Soto, who has never been named MVP, is driving the clubs crazy
Nov 12, 2024
|
|
Most of the estimated ransom offered by leading local media exceeds $600 million. Some believe that more than $700 million is possible.
FanGraphs offered an estimated contract size for Soto at $576 million ($AAV 48 million) for 12 years. ESPN and The Athletic predicted $611 million ($AAV 47 million) in 13 years, MLBTR $600 million ($AAV 46.15 million) in 13 years, and Bleacher Report $658 million ($AAV 47 million) in 14 years, with Bleacher Report and AAV FanGraphs the highest.
Furthermore, New York Post reporter John Heyman boldly predicted $700 million. He said on the 4th that the new magic number of the 'Top FA Soto' is considered $700 million (or more). It's $700 million solid, not $700 million with the 97 percent deferral that Ohtani put in when he signed with the Dodgers.
|
Of course, AAV varies depending on the contract period to meet $700 million. It is $70 million for AAV in 10 years, $63.64 million for 11 years, $58.33 million for 12 years, $53.85 million for 13 years, $50 million for 14 years, and $46.67 million for 15 years. Among them, some observers say that Soto will want a 15-year contract guaranteed by 2039, which will be the 40-year-old season. For clubs, $700 million is also burdensome, but the 15-year contract period is more reluctant.
But I can't help but listen to what Soto wants. Heyman predicted the battle for Soto as '8-wave war'. The New York Yankees, the New York Mets, the Dodgers, the Toronto Blue Jays, the San Francisco Giants, the Boston Red Sox, and two unknown teams are expected to make strong offers. Among them, the Yankees, Mets, Toronto and Boston even set dates to meet with Soto this week and next.
When competition is fierce, prices will increase. The reason why Soto is likely to break Ohtani's ransom record is this hot demand group. All big market clubs are teams that can spend as much money as they want.
|
FanGraphs said 'The most perfect hitter in Major League Baseball, just a few weeks after he was 26 years old, came to the FA market. I've never seen a masterpiece with such a large amount of money before. He has two things that make big market clubs salivate. The skill and youth of a true superstar. He was referring to Soto's ability and age to support his values.
ESPN also said, `Considering Soto's age, the longest contract period in history and more than $600 million is certain.' Soto has created a unique world of his own among the highest hitters, especially among all-time FA hitters. No one has ever been as young and nutritious as Soto' For example, Soto is ranked 8th in the cumulative OPS+ ranking up to the 25-year-old season. Ty Cobb (180) is in first place, and only Mike Trout (172) and Soto are in third place among the top 10 players. Since Trout signed a 12-year, $426.5 million extension contract with the Los Angeles Angels in March 2019, the value of Soto, who is now an FA, is also worth guessing.
|
Ohtani was born in July 1994 and Soto was born in October 1998. Ohtani is 29 years and 4 months old and Soto is 26 years and 1 month old. Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract and will be with the Dodgers until the 39-year-old season. In order for Soto to be guaranteed until the 39-year-old season, the contract period must be 14 years. This is why Boras said the two players should not be compared.
The $700 million Otani contract is $437.4 million, calculated at the current price. Distributing this over 10 years sets an annual salary of $46 million per year. In other words, if Soto makes a contract of more than 10 years for an annual average of $46 million without a suspension of payment, he could break Ohtani's real ransom record. However, Soto seems to be willing to receive $600 million and even $700 million during the contract period.
Soto is likely to be the hero of the highest-ever contract that has never been named MVP. Of the five players who signed contracts worth more than $350 million in total, only Manny Machado, the fifth-ranked player, has no MVP experience (11 years and $350 million). No. 1 Ohtani and No. 2 Trout ($426.5 million for 12 years), No. 3 Mookie Betts ($365 million for 12 years), and No. 4 Aaron Judge ($360 million for 9 years) succeeded in signing a large contract after winning MVP more than once. This is also likely to become a Soto-only category.
|
jhno@sportschosun.com
