Juan Soto is having a monster season as he gets set to become a free agent, and many around baseball believe the New York Yankees slugger is going to secure a massive payday.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel spoke with 28 MLB agents, executives and insiders to get a sense of the type of contract Soto could secure either via free agency or an extension with the Yankees. Of those who were polled, only three believe Soto will get less than $400 million. The majority (17) predict that Soto will sign for more than $500 million, with three respondents saying he will get at least $600 million.
ESPN anonymously polled 28 MLB executives on how much they think Juan Soto gets in free agency
There’s no way people actually think he’s getting less than $400 million right? pic.twitter.com/HkXX8Y9FMM
— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) June 11, 2024
Soto might be seeking a bigger contract than the one Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers this past offseason. Though, that 10-year, $700 million deal contains a tremendous amount of deferrals. When factoring in deferrals, the present-day value of Ohtani’s contract was calculated at $460 million, giving him an average annual value of $46 million. Soto is probably looking to top that figure.
The 25-year-old Soto is on pace to set career highs across the board this season. He is batting .316 with 17 home runs, 53 RBI and a 1.020 OPS. If that pace continues, his case for a $500 million-plus contract will become even stronger.
Soto has said he is open to in-season negotiations with New York, but he would probably have to be confident he cannot get more on the free-agent market. Given the comments Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner made earlier in the year, is is fair to wonder if the Bronx Bombers are prepared to be the highest bidder for Soto.
More must-reads:
Only eight plate appearances into his New York Yankees career, Ryan McMahon has already been more productive than the team’s previous third base options. What might sound hyperbolic or outright false at first glance is actually true, at least from a certain point of view. Analytics — specifically, Wins Above Replacement — proves that argument, and it’s one that Yankees manager Aaron Boone should be ashamed of. McMahon went 2-for-3 with a two-run double in Sunday’s victory over the Phillies, giving him four hits in his first eight at-bats. FanGraphs ruled that McMahon is already worth 0.2 fWAR through two games in a Yankees uniform. Amazingly, McMahon has a higher fWAR than the trio of DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Jorbit Vivas, who have played a combined 148 games in the infield thus far. LeMahieu provided -0.1 fWAR over 45 games before being unceremoniously cut earlier this month, while Vivas (-0.2) is currently at Triple-A. Peraza and his -0.6 fWAR remain on the active roster, though he’s shifted into a bench role. Baseball-Reference has been slightly more generous, giving Peraza -0.2 bWAR. Boone stuck with LeMahieu and Peraza until he couldn’t anymore, and it’s partly why the Yankees have dropped to 5 1/2 games back in the AL East. Injuries and age took their toll on LeMahieu, who only played second after returning from calf and hip problems. Peraza owns a .152 average and .452 OPS in 170 plate appearances. We’ll see if McMahon can elevate the Yankees, who open a pivotal four-game set with the rival Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
Treylon Burks‘ tenure in Tennessee is on track to come to an end. In the wake of his latest injury, the former first-rounder has been waived. This move has come with an injury designation, which comes as no surprise given the broken collarbone Burks recently suffered in training camp. Injuries have plagued the 25-year-old throughout his brief NFL tenure, which began when Tennessee selected him with the No. 18 pick in the 2022 draft. That selection was acquired by dealing A.J. Brown to the Eagles. Given the link between the two wideouts created by the trade, Burks’ evaluations have always been measured against Brown’s Philadelphia success. During each of his three seasons with the Eagles so far, Brown has earned a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro acclaim; the 28-year-old was also a key figure in the team’s Super Bowl success in 2025. Burks, by contrast, entered this summer on Tennessee’s roster bubble. The Arkansas product managed a career-best 444 yards as a rookie while being limited to 11 games. Optimism was high that, with better luck on the health front, he could round out his game and develop into a regular on offense with the Titans. Staying on the field has proven to be an issue, however — Burks missed six games again in 2023 and an ACL tear limited him to five contests last season — and when available he has not managed to meet expectations. The collarbone injury accelerated the timing for what could have been a decision to move on from the Titans closer to the start of the regular season. Tennessee’s receiver depth chart will once again be headlined by Calvin Ridley this season. Veteran Tyler Lockett was added in free agency, as was Van Jefferson. The Titans used the draft to add a pair of Day 3 prospects at the position (Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor), and they will look to handle backup roles during their rookie seasons. Tennessee entered Monday with nearly $30M in cap space, so finances will not be an issue if one of the veterans still on the market is targeted in the wake of this move. Burks is now headed to waivers, with all teams free to claim him. Provided he goes unclaimed, he will revert to injured reserve. Situations such as these often result in a release being worked out along with an injury settlement. If that proves to be the case for Burks, his Titans stint will end on an unwanted but unsurprising note.
Juraj Slafkovsky is one of the most promising players in the NHL, but now he has been called out by David Pastrnak, who stated he lacks humility. After being picked No. 1 overall in 2022 NHL Draft, expectations were high in Montreal for young star Juraj Slafkovsky, and thus far, he's shown glimpses of being the elite level player many expected when he entered the National Hockey League. However, there are still some major steps to go, and in a recent interview, Boston Bruins star David Pastrnak pointed out perhaps one area where the 21-year old may need to improve moving forward. When asked about Slafkovsky and his potential, Pastrnak gave nothing but a glowing review of the young Canadiens star, but he did note that he believes Slafkovsky needs more humility. 'He's still a young player who is gaining experience in the NHL every year. This season it was already clear that he gave the team more than before...He just needs a little more humility, he should set an example for the young ones.' On the ice, there's no doubting that Slafkovsky has the presence, the size and the talent to be a true star, posting 101 total points over the past two seasons, but for whatever reason, it appears as though Pastrnak believes he needs to improve off the ice before he can take a major leap in Montreal. Ultimately, the talent is still there for Slafkovsky, and at 21-years old, he'll continue to learn off the ice, and if he can go anywhere close to living up to the potential that he's shown in his first three years at the NHL level, there's no doubt that he can be a big time star and help lead the Canadiens to significant post-season success.
Elgton Jenkins, the Green Bay Packers’ versatile offensive lineman, stepped onto the field Monday for the first time this training camp, and his return has already generated plenty of buzz. After spending much of the offseason as a spectator due to what the team listed as a back injury, Jenkins spoke to the media today, addressing his holdout, his potential move to center, and his mindset as he gears up for the 2025 season. It was a candid, often emotional reflection on where he stands with the Packers and where he hopes to take their offensive line. Jenkins’ comments pulled back the curtain on both his personal struggles and professional challenges, offering a mix of hope and lingering questions for fans and analysts alike. Here’s what we learned and why it matters for Green Bay’s plans moving forward. Addressing the Holdout At Green Bay Packers Training Camp For much of the offseason, Elgton Jenkins avoided the field. He skipped voluntary workouts and was a noticeable “hold-in” during the mandatory minicamp, a move that many speculated was tied to his contract situation. When asked directly about his absence, Jenkins pointed to a family matter as his reason for sitting out of voluntary activities. “It wasn’t about the contract. I had things to take care of at home,” Jenkins told reporters. While his explanation seemed straightforward, it only partially aligned with reality. Questions remain about why Jenkins didn’t actively participate during mandated events, and his response leaves room for interpretation. “I wasn’t on the field, but I’ve been locked in. My focus has always been to help this team,” he added. It’s hard not to sense a layer of unspoken tension. At the core of Jenkins’ holdout appears to be his financial future with the Packers. His current deal, a four-year extension signed in 2022, carries non-guaranteed money through 2026. With the Packers facing cap constraints, Jenkins’ contract could be an easy target for restructuring or even release. Similar moves, like Green Bay’s parting ways with former All-Pro Jaire Alexander in June, loom large in players’ minds. Still, Jenkins emphasized that his priority now is football. “I’m here to play,” he said, brushing aside talk of extensions or release clauses. For the Green Bay Packers, having him mentally and physically committed to the team is a win, but Jenkins’ unwillingness to publicly acknowledge his contract concerns keeps the narrative open-ended. Elgton Jenkins: The Shift to Center One of the most intriguing revelations from Elgton Jenkins was his openness—albeit cautious—to playing center this season. Green Bay’s coaching staff signaled its intent to shift Jenkins to the middle of the offensive line during exit interviews last year. At the time, he embraced the idea, but his reported hesitation heading into this season sparked speculation. “I’ll do anything for the team,” Jenkins asserted post-practice. “But making a move like that, you have to take time to adjust—mentally and physically. These things don’t happen overnight, and I want to be in the best position to succeed for myself and for the team.” Elgton Jenkins isn’t inexperienced at center. Known for his positional flexibility, Jenkins has played every spot on the offensive line during his tenure with the Green Bay Packers. His ability to seamlessly shift roles makes him invaluable, but there’s no denying the complexity of becoming a centerpiece in both protection schemes and leadership on the line. It’s a role that requires sharp communication skills and the ability to anticipate defensive adjustments in real time. At Monday’s walkthrough practice, Jenkins lined up as the first-team center, a possible signal of where the Packers intend to slot him long-term. However, as live drills began, he was replaced by Sean Rhyan. This suggests the team is taking a measured approach to integrating him back into action and fully transitioning him to the middle. A Commitment to 2025 Contract rumors and position changes aside, Jenkins made one thing crystal clear in his remarks—he’s ready to commit to 2025. “I’m locked in,” Jenkins said emphatically, adding, “This team has what it takes to compete. I’m here for that.” While some fans remain concerned about what Jenkins’ offseason absence means for the team’s chemistry, his dedication to preparation appears unwavering. Staying dialed in without on-field reps might be challenging, but Jenkins insists he hasn’t missed a beat. “It’s about staying sharp mentally,” he added. “The physical stuff comes back, but you’ve got to stay prepared every single day upstairs. That’s the only way you can lead.” This sense of readiness is a pivotal development for the Packers, who desperately need stability on the offensive line. Jenkins’s ability to step into the center position could solidify the team’s protection around quarterback Jordan Love while providing a reliable veteran presence in the trenches. With the NFC North looking wide open, Green Bay’s ability to protect Love and establish the run will be critical—and Jenkins knows the stakes. Looking Toward the Future The uncertainty surrounding Jenkins’ long-term role with the Packers still lingers. With no guarantees built into his contract beyond this season, it’s fair to question whether the organization views him as a foundational player moving forward. For his part, Jenkins appears to be focusing solely on the task ahead—getting Green Bay into playoff contention. “Right now, it’s not about 2026,” Jenkins said when asked about his future with the team. “It’s about making sure we get better every game this season. If we do that, everything else will take care of itself.” This focus on the present could be exactly what the Green Bay Packers need. For a team that faced significant roster turnover in recent years, possessing veteran leaders like Jenkins—who understand the balance between business and performance—could make a major difference. The Road Ahead for the Packers With Jenkins now on the field and demonstrating a willingness to adapt, the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line could be one of their biggest assets heading into 2025. If Jenkins thrives as a center, it could reshape Green Bay’s offensive attack and provide stability in a transitional year for the franchise. Yet, 2025 isn’t without its challenges. The specter of future cap space challenges, lingering player turnover, and divisional rivals improving their rosters means the Packers need to maximize every ounce of talent they have on the field this year. Having Jenkins fully invested will go a long way toward achieving that goal.
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!