• Loading stock data...
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

Juan Soto Leads MLB’s Offseason Frenzy, Chasing $600M Deal

Action is heating up in baseball’s offseason player market, with big moves expected to quickly follow the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Juan Soto
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Major League Baseball’s hot stove period of offseason player signings, which has suffered through a more languid pace in recent years, is already beginning to take on a different cadence this year.

Free-agent outfielder Juan Soto, by far the biggest prize on the market, has already received five offers, according to multiple reports. He remains poised to sign a deal for more than $600 million, representing at least the second-largest player contract in U.S. sports history, and perhaps the largest in present-day value depending on the amount of deferrals involved. 

Those initially interested teams are believed to be the Blue Jays, Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox, and Yankees, though it’s possible that the pursuit of Soto will include both additional teams and updated offers from this initial group. It’s also expected Soto will pick a team by mid-December, soon after the completion of baseball’s winter meetings, if not sooner—highlighting a player market that is expected to heat up significantly after Thanksgiving.

On Tuesday, Soto teased the rising expectations around his forthcoming contract with an Instagram Reel promising “the announcement you’ve been waiting for.” The news, however, was a new marketing deal with beverage brand Celsius. 

The struggling Angels, meanwhile, are attempting to reverse an ugly 99-loss season in 2024 that was the worst in franchise history with a flurry of mid-tier signings. In just the last three weeks, the Arte Moreno–owned club has picked up pitchers Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, and shortstop Kevin Newman, committing $80 million in the process.

The initial movement, though still a prelude of many bigger moves to come, contrasts with recent offseason markets in which many big names waited until after the start of spring training in February to sign their deals. There is also a further bump to come starting in mid-January when star Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki is due to hit the international player market

Underlying Trends

There are a series of key factors contributing to the different pacing for this year’s player market. The later moves last year for a series of players, particularly those represented by super-agent Scott Boras, resulted in some notable misfires in on-field performance. 

This year, the historic Soto outlay will both fundamentally reshape the budget for the team that signs him and influence the rest of the player market.

Additionally, the ongoing turbulence of the local sports media landscape—even after the recent resolution of Diamond Sports Group’s bankruptcy—could fuel a monetary crunch among many MLB teams, and in turn, create a tighter market for some mid- and lower-tier free agents. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.

Cubs, Yankees, NFL Honor Charlie Kirk

The Green Bay moment was planned by the league.
Sep 8, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) runs to first base during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

The $339 Million Mets Are in Jeopardy of Missing the Playoffs

The Mets’ wild-card lead is 1.5 games with 15 remaining in the regular season.

Dexter Fowler Wants to Change the Narrative on Athlete Ownership

The former MLB All-Star owns a stake in Premier League team Bournemouth.

Featured Today

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
September 8, 2025

Alcaraz and Sinner Have More to Gain in 2025 After Splitting Slams

Alcaraz and Sinner have split the last eight Grand Slams.
September 10, 2025

Kuminga, Grimes Remain Unsigned As Giddey Agrees to $100M Deal

Two of the four restricted free agents have inked deals.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 7, 2025

Alcaraz Beats Sinner, Wins $5M Prize, Reclaims World No. 1

Alcaraz won a record $5 million first prize at the US Open.
Angel Reese
September 5, 2025

Angel Reese Suspended For Half-Game After Ripping Teammates

The team is disciplining Reese for criticizing her teammates publicly.
Caitlin Clark
September 4, 2025

Caitlin Clark Says She Won’t Return From Injury This Year

She only played 13 games this season.
James Harden
September 4, 2025

James Harden’s Houston Restaurant Shut for Falling $2 Million Behind in Rent

A sign on the door says the locks have been changed.