Shohei Ohtani contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers was HUGE news. We’re talking about a 10-year, $700 million deal. It completely redefined what a baseball contract could look like. Seriously, it shattered all previous records. It was crazy!
But then, just one year later, Juan Soto’s new contract with the New York Mets one-upped it.
Juan Soto’s Deal: Topping the Shohei Ohtani Contract
Soto’s contract is a 15-year, $765 million whopper. And get this – unlike the Shohei Ohtani contract, there’s NO deferred money. Plus, there are escalators that could push it over $800 million, and an opt-out clause the Mets can void by throwing in another $40 mil. It’s safe to say Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, got everything they wanted. This is now the biggest contract in sports history!
It’s pretty wild that the Shohei Ohtani contract record only lasted a year. But, given that Soto’s big payday was on the horizon, maybe it is not that shocking.
Now, the big question is: who’s next? Who in MLB could possibly touch $765 million or, maybe, even the Shohei Ohtani contract of $700 million?
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Finding the Next Mega-Deal: It’s Not Easy
Let’s be real, identifying players who might reach this level is tough. We’re looking for position players, young guys (like Soto, who’s only 26), and, obviously, they have to be exceptionally good. It is obvious why no team is going to consider that kind of money for a pitcher.
2026: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – A Solid Contender, But Not Quite There
Next year, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is probably the biggest name hitting free agency. He and Soto are good friends, and the Blue Jays even tried to team them up. Guerrero could see a deal around $300 million. Still a ton of money, but nowhere near Soto’s or the Shohei Ohtani contract. He plays a less valuable position and isn’t quite the hitter Soto is. Other than him, Kyle Tucker, Dylan Cease and Luis Arraez are notable, but not close to the same level.
2027: Pitchers Dominate, No Soto in Sight
2027 is looking like the year of the pitcher. Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet are the headliners. Skubal is amazing, for sure, but he’ll be 30 with a Tommy John surgery in his past. The position players? Alec Bohm, Adolis García, Randy Arozarena… decent players, but not mega-contract material. Also, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies are technically free agents, but the Braves will have club options.
2028: Adley Rutschman – A Catcher’s Challenge
This could be the winter of the catcher! Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman is the big name, with William Contreras and Cal Raleigh also in the mix. But catchers face an uphill battle for huge contracts. The position is just too physically demanding. Joe Mauer’s old $184 million deal is still the record for catchers – good money for sure, but not in the same league as Soto or the Shohei Ohtani contract.
2029: Gunnar Henderson – The Best Bet?
Here’s where it gets interesting. If anyone has a shot, it might be Gunnar Henderson. He plays a premium position, will be in his prime during free agency, and he’s also a Scott Boras client. He’s been hitting .268/.346/.504 through three seasons. Everything points to a potentially massive deal. He’ll only be a year older than Soto is now when he hits free agency. However, to surpass Soto or the Shohei Ohtani contract, Henderson needs to keep up his performance, avoid injuries, and hope the market keeps growing. It’s a tall order, but it’s not impossible. That’s important to note.
2030 and Beyond: Too Early to Tell
Elly De La Cruz is electric, but his strikeout rate is a concern. Jackson Merrill had a great rookie year, but that’s all we have for now. These guys are early in their careers. It shows how special a talent like Soto really is. By his second year, Soto was already a .287/.403/.535 hitter with a World Series ring and an incredible eye at the plate.
2031: Maybe Paul Skenes? But He’s a Pitcher…
Paul Skenes is a future ace, no doubt. But again, he’s a pitcher. Arm injuries are almost inevitable for pitchers these days. It’s just too far out to predict who will be the top free agent in 2031. Jackson Chourio would have been a great candidate, but he already signed an extension.
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Why Soto (and the Shohei Ohtani contract) Are So Rare
See a pattern here? Most of these guys, except maybe Henderson, don’t seem likely to approach Soto’s or Ohtani’s level. That’s why the Mets and Dodgers paid so much, and also that’s why the Shohei Ohtani contract is still one of the biggest ever.
Players like Soto are truly once-in-a-generation talents. He’s got the production, the youth, the health, the postseason success. Every team would want him. Finding another player like that? It’s like seeing Halley’s Comet.
The situation is similar to Alex Rodriguez’s $252 million contract in 2000. That was an insane amount of money back then. It took a decade for the market to catch up to that level of spending. The Shohei Ohtani contract could be the same case.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Shohei Ohtani’s Contract and Related Topics
Shohei Ohtani’s contract is worth $700 million over 10 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Right now, Juan Soto has the biggest contract in MLB history at $765 million over 15 years. But the Shohei Ohtani contract follows close behind.
Shohei Ohtani’s contract is massive because he’s a unique two-way player (pitcher and hitter) at an elite level. He brings huge value on the field and in marketing.
It’s possible, as Juan Soto already did, although with a bigger contract. Gunnar Henderson in 2029 might have a shot to do it too, but it will depend on many factors. It’s hard to predict, but the Shohei Ohtani contract will be tough to beat.
The average MLB salary is around $4.9 million, but that varies greatly depending on the player’s experience and performance.
Fuente: ipparaguay
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