Whereas Shohei Ohtani is more likely to be the crown jewel of free company this offseason, San Diego Padres slugger Juan Soto could also be in the identical place a 12 months from now. With that in thoughts, Jon Heyman of the New York Publish just lately speculated that the reigning Nationwide League champions could possibly be a match for Soto when the time comes.
Whereas free company remains to be greater than a 12 months away for Soto, Heyman says that “baseball individuals” imagine the Philadelphia Phillies are a pure touchdown spot for a three-time All-Star.
“Soto has shut ties from Nationals days with hitting coach Kevin Lengthy and received a hoop with Bryce Harper and Trea Turner,” Heyman wrote. “With Kyle Schwarber additionally there, they have already got a definite Nats taste.”
The Phillies have the fourth-highest payroll in baseball and have already got $167 million allotted for 2025. Nevertheless, Phillies majority proprietor John Middleton hasn’t been bashful about dolling out gigantic contracts to superstars if it means giving the workforce an opportunity at a World Collection. In spite of everything, Middleton has already signed off on a number of offers value greater than $100 million, touchdown Bryce Harper (13 years, $330 million), Trea Turner (11 years, $300 million), Zack Wheeler (5 years, $118 million), J.T. Realmuto (5 years, $115.5 million) and Nick Castellanos (5 years, $100 million).
Moreover, the Phillies have already thrown a goodwill gesture Soto’s method. After this week’s All-Star festivities in Seattle, the Phillies reportedly gave Soto a raise again to Philadelphia, the place the Padres open up a four-game set Friday.
