MLB insider reveals the stunning, historic asking price of Juan Soto contract in free agency

Juan Soto was one of the best players in the postseason and cemented his status among the top free agents in the MLB this winter. While MLB rumors make it pretty clear that the New York Yankees are the favorites to re-sign Soto, his asking price could change that.

Soto is one of the best MLB free agents to hit the open market in recent years. At just 26 years old, he is a four-time All-Star selection, a World Series champion and a perennial MVP candidate. He also proved he can make it through October, leading the Yankees lineup to the World Series.

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• Juan Soto Stats (ESPN): .288/.419/.569, .989 OPS, 41 home runs, 109 RBI, 31 doubles

Soto is also determined to become one of the highest-paid MLB players ever. The 26-year-old’s playing style bodes well for his longevity, with unparalleled plate discipline and bat speed that could age well. It is one of the many reasons why he is expected to sign a contract for at least 12 years this season.

Throughout the regular season, there were persistent MLB rumors about how much Soto would need to sign a deal. Initial estimates started at more than $500 million, but his MVP-caliber production and role in the Yankees’ postseason success pushed that even higher. Now projections are well over $600 million and it will likely cost a team much more than that.

Related: MLB free agency predictions including Juan Soto

• Juan Soto postseason stats: .327/.469/.633, 1.101 OPS, 4 home runs, 9 RBI, 14 walks

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Soto is seeking a contract value totaling more than $700 million over the life of a deal. If it happens, he will join Shohei Ohtani as the only two players in MLB history to sign contracts worth more than $700 million.

However, unlike the Ohtani contract, Soto is reportedly not seeking any major delays to his long-term deal. While the Ohtani contract has 93 percent of the money deferred until after his contract expires, Soto wants to spread his money over the full length of his contract.

Considering Soto isn’t nearly as marketable as Ohtani, nor does he offer the ability to be a two-way player, it seems unlikely he’ll reach the $700 million asking price unless it lasts more than fifteen seasons. However, with more than a dozen teams pursuing him, raising $650 million is entirely possible.