MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 02: Willy Adames #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts before crossing home plate after hitting a three run homer in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on September 02, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Juan Soto deferred money, Astros Bregman disadvantage, Counsell’s familiar move
The latest news from around the league, including a Juan Soto contract estimate and the Astros facing an uphill battle to bring back Alex Bregman.
Now that the champagne has been popped and the parade has been held, it’s time to start shifting our attention from the postseason to Hot Stove season. And what a winter this promises to be, with Juan Soto highlighting a star-studded free-agent class and plenty of teams with money to burn. Here’s a quick lap around the rumor mill, with all the latest on Soto’s potential contract structure, the Houston Astros’ pursuit of Alex Bregman and Craig Counsell putting one over on the Milwaukee Brewers one more time.
How much deferred money could a Juan Soto deal include?
Where Juan Soto will sign is the biggest question of this offseason, with the Yankees, Dodgers, Mets, Phillies and more looking to secure the outfielder’s services. But what might an eventual Soto contract look like?
Recent reports suggest that Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, have now set their sights on at least matching the $700 million given to Shohei Ohtani last winter. Of course, that deal was made possible by a whopping $680 million in deferred money, drastically reducing the actual value of the contract. Boras is unlikely to agree to such a team-friendly structure, but if he wants to get his client into the Ohtani stratosphere, he’ll have to compromise at least somewhat: A recent Spotrac estimate suggests that Soto can match Ohtani’s career earnings with a 12-year, $660 million deal, of which some $215 million would be deferred.
