Agent Scott Boras suggested that Juan Soto might aim to exceed Shohei Ohtani’s record $700 million contract because Soto is three years younger than Ohtani was when he signed his deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Boras shared his thoughts on the market with a 48-minute speech full of puns during the general managers meetings on Wednesday.
He called Soto “the Mona Lisa of the museum” and pointed out that only a few players, like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Ted Williams, have achieved as much as Soto has by the time they were 26. He added, “he has literally 15 years more of his prime to offer.”
“You’re talking about a business opportunity where you can make literally billions of dollars by acquiring somebody,” Boras said. “You can really see that owners, general managers, that they’re kind of called upon to be championship magicians…
It’s hard to do, to put together that magic of a championship run, but behind every great magician obviously is the magic Juan.”
Ohtani signed his 10-year deal late last year, which helped the team win its second World Series title in five years. The contract includes $680 million in deferred payments from 2034 to 2043, lowering its average annual value for luxury tax purposes to about $46.08 million.
Boras said, “I don’t think Ohtani has much to do with Juan Soto, at all. It’s not something we discuss or consider. Juan Soto is — he’s in an age category that separates him from all.”
He refused to talk about specific numbers regarding what Soto is looking for. “I’m not going to talk about dollars and cents. That’s something we’ll take care of with the clubs,” Boras said.
Boras also rejected the idea of Soto accepting deferred money like Ohtani did.
“I don’t think that tax considerations are the focal point when you’re talking about a business opportunity where you can make literally billions of dollars by acquiring somebody,” he said.
Juan Soto was traded from Washington to San Diego in 2022 after turning down a $440 million, 15-year contract offer. Last December, he was traded again, this time to the New York Yankees, where he batted .288 with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, and 128 runs, hitting second in the lineup ahead of Aaron Judge.
The Yankees want to keep Soto after his contributions helped them reach the World Series for the first time since 2009. The New York Mets, led by billionaire owner Steve Cohen, are also expected to pursue Soto.
“The Mets are obviously trying to get to their goal, which is winning a world championship,” Boras said. “I think they’ve been very clear about pursuing this aggressively.” Soto plans to meet with owners who are interested in him.
“I’m going to commit my career to it and I want the owner to commit his resources to it,” Boras said about Soto’s approach. “That’s really why Juan Soto became a free agent.”
Boras also mentioned that Soto would be a profitable addition for whichever team signs him.
“When the owners win repeatedly, their revenues skyrocket. They develop the impact of postseason play, attendance, rights in the streaming world,” he said. “Plus the international branding.”
Boras stated that issues with broadcast revenue should not affect the market. Last offseason, the market was slow after Diamond Sports Group filed for bankruptcy.
MLB took over broadcasting for teams like the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023, and this year, they will also take over for the Colorado Rockies, with the Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, and Minnesota Twins in 2025.
“The TV uncertainty was kind of last year’s question,” Boras said. “Clubs have been offered contracts for (regional sports networks) and they’ve rejected them. They’re building their own platforms.”
Boras also mentioned that Bryce Harper is open to adding more to his current deal with the Phillies, a $330 million, 13-year contract that runs through 2031.
