The Yankees' rival plans to make an “astronomical offer” to Juan Soto in free agency

The entire baseball world is aware that New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto is going to become a very rich man this offseason.

The only questions are which team will secure his services and how much they will offer him in return.

Most analysts agree that the two frontrunners for the Soto sweepstakes are the Yankees and their cross-town rival New York Mets. However, an Oct. 9 article by Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com revealed that one of the Yankees' AL East opponents is planning to break the bank for Soto in a big way.

For the article, Miller spoke with an anonymous person he described as Soto's friend and former teammate.

“Look for the Blue Jays to make an astronomical offer,” Soto’s friend told Miller. “I heard it with my own ears.”

“He hears that the Jays, coming off a terrible 74-88 season after making the playoffs in 2022 and 2023, are desperate to compete again next season and are willing to spend big in the offseason to improve theirs squad to improve,” Miller wrote. “He hears that owners hope to re-sign star third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is headed to free agency, and sign Soto in a deal that could be the richest non-deferred contract in MLB history .”

“The Blue Jays think Soto would be perfect for their roster and their team,” Soto’s friend said. “I know their management thinks Soto and Guerrero would be to them what Soto and (Aaron) Judge were to the Yankees this year.”

Like Soto, Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 25 years old. In 2024, he hit .323 with a .940 OPS, 30 home runs and 103 RBIs.

When Miller asked the friend whether Soto would leave money on the table to re-sign with the Yankees, he said, “First of all, it would depend on what the first number is.” That is, the first monetary metric in Sotos Contract.

“A five…so $500 million?” Miller wrote. “That would wipe out the richest contract in Yankees history if Judge comes back after his MVP season with 62 home runs in 2022 for $360 million over nine years when he was a free agent.”

“Too low,” Soto’s friend said. “The number must start with a six. Soto is still 25 years old. I can also tell you that I doubt he will accept deferred money.”

Miller then asked Soto's friend his prediction for the contract Soto will sign.

“I think he’ll get $40 million a year for 15 years. That’s $600 million.”

That's a lot of money. On the other hand, Soto has shown throughout his career that he is worth it. And he can continue to prove that in these MLB playoffs.