Who could break Juan Soto's $765M record? First look at future MLB free-agent classes
For two consecutive offseasons, an MLB player has received the biggest contract in sports history.
Shohei Ohtani's $700 million pact with the Dodgers obliterated Mike Trout's previous record ($426.5 million). Juan Soto's $765 million agreement with the Mets represents an even bigger jump when you factor in present-day value and the fact Ohtani deferred $680 million over the span of two decades.
So, who's next?
Well, it is unlikely that Soto's deal will be eclipsed anytime soon, or at any point by a current MLB player. But there are future free agents who could challenge other contract records and join the $300 million club by the end of the decade.
Here's an early look at some of the top free agents in each of the coming years.
2025-26 offseason
Toronto Blue Jays 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The Blue Jays star first baseman headlines next offseason's free-agent class. The 25-year-old returned to MVP-caliber form in 2024, slashing .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs, 103 RBIs and a 166 OPS+.
Guerrero will be only six months older than Soto is now when he hits the open market, putting him in line to earn a rich, long-term deal. It likely won't match the record length of Soto's deal (15), given Vlad's fluctuations in performance, but he could become just the fourth MLB player to receive a $400 million deal.
Some could argue that Tucker is the better player between him and Guerrero, as his baseline of hitting has been higher and he's a plus defender and baserunner. The former Astro slashed .289/.408/.585 with 23 homers, 49 RBIs and 181 OPS+ in just 78 games last season, putting him on a near-MVP trajectory. Should he produce at that level in his new Cubs uniform over a full season, he could be primed for a bigger payday than Vlad. It's also interesting to consider that nearly all of Excel Sports Management's top clients (Dansby Swanson, George Springer, Trevor Story) have switched teams in free agency in recent years, with Clayton Kershaw being an exception.
Somewhat working against Tucker: He'll be 29 by the start of the 2026 season.
San Diego Padres RHP Dylan Cease and Arizona Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen
The two NL West aces figure to be the best pitchers on the market next offseason. Only two pitchers have ever received a contract north of $300 million, though that could change once Corbin Burnes signs this winter.
Cease, who'll be 30 by the start of the 2026 season, has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past three seasons, posting two top-four Cy Young finishes. Gallen, who will also be 30 by the start of the 2026 season, has a pair of recent top-five Cy Young finishes.
Both pitchers are represented by Scott Boras, making it likely they hit the open market next winter. If both have strong seasons in 2025, it wouldn't be a surprise if Boras is able to negotiate two more $300 million deals.
2026-27 offseason
Detroit Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal
Skubal is coming off a pitching triple crown season and is the consensus choice for the best pitcher in baseball. While he won't hit free agency for another two years upon turning 30, he could still be in line to command the largest pitching contract in MLB history, given the lack of miles on his arm. He'll just need to maintain his 2024 level of performance.
A pitcher, no matter how good, won't pose a threat to Soto's record. But it seems possible for Skubal to earn more on an annual basis than anyone in baseball outside of two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. He's also a Boras client, which means they'll likely be fighting for that mark.
Boston Red Sox LHP Garrett Crochet
Crochet will be 27 in the 2026-27 offseason, a relatively young age for an All-Star ace to become a free agent. However, Crochet has expressed a desire to get an extension done. When he was a rumored trade candidate ahead of the deadline in July, he expressed that he would only pitch in the postseason if he had an extension in place.
Initial reports following his trade suggested that the Red Sox and Crochet could work out an extension in the near future. It would certainly be for nine figures, but could come in lower than he'd get on the open market two winters from now.
2027-28 offseason
Baltimore Orioles C Adley Rutschman
If the countdown wasn't already on for the Orioles' young core to produce, they have a few seasons before one of their top homegrown players hits free agency. Rutschman will hit free agency in the 2027-28 offseason, shortly before his 30th birthday. The two-time All-Star has regressed a bit at the plate but his positional value will make his negotiations interesting. Whether he extends with the Orioles or reaches free agency, expect Rutschman to exceed Joe Mauer's record eight-year, $184 million extension for a catcher.
Something to note, Rutschman's agency (Beverly Hill Sports Council) helped negotiate the extension Jackson Chourio received before he even played an MLB game.
Milwaukee Brewers C William Contreras
Similar to Rutschman, Contreras could also threaten Mauer's contract record for catchers. The two-time All-Star will also be turning 30 that offseason and has been a slightly better hitter than Rutschman, if not quite as good on defense. Just don't expect him to fetch that megadeal from the Brewers.
Seattle Mariners RHP Logan Gilbert
It's possible that the player who receives the largest contract in the 2027-28 offseason is a pitcher. Gilbert, who'll be 30 when he's eligible for free agency that year, has been among the AL's best pitchers since 2022. When you consider his effectiveness (league-leading 0.887 WHIP in 2024) and durability (league-leading 208.2 innings pitched in 2024), he might have a strong chance at joining the list of $300 million pitchers.
2028-29 offseason
Baltimore Orioles SS Gunnar Henderson
A year after Rutschman is due to hit free agency, Henderson is also scheduled to hit the open market. Henderson stands as the best candidate to threaten Soto's record in the foreseeable future. The 23-year-old is arguably the best shortstop in the game already, slashing .281/.364/.529 with 37 homers and a 159 OPS+ this past season. Those numbers are better than what Soto put up at the plate in his age-23 season. Henderson will be 27 when he finally hits free agency, putting a lengthy and lucrative extension in play. His agent? Boras.
Star shortstops have long been paid at the very top of the market, putting Henderson in line for a fascinating negotiation should he continue at his current pace.
Houston Astros OF/DH Yordan Alvarez
Alvarez would be a free agent next winter had he not signed a six-year, $115 million extension with the Astros midway through the 2022 season. Alvarez will be 31 when he hits the open market, but he could still cash in given his consistent and prolific production. Only Aaron Judge has a higher career OPS+.
2029-30 offseason
Soto can opt out of his current deal after five seasons upon turning 31 years old. He'll have already earned $255 million from the Mets, who could void the opt-out by committing to another $550 million over the ensuing 10 years, which equates to a $4 million annual raise.
Atlanta Braves OF Ronald Acuna Jr.
Barring another extension, Acuna can get his first taste of free agency in the 2029-30 offseason. He'll be turning 32 that winter, at which point he's unlikely to set any records on the open market. Had the former MVP and Rookie of the Year not extended one year into his career (and not torn his ACL twice), he might have been the best candidate to negotiate a deal in Soto's range.
Atlanta Braves RHP Spencer Strider
Strider, who has a team option for the 2029 season, could also join his teammate Acuna in free agency in the 2029-30 offseason. He'll be 31 then, still allowing fort a long-term payday. Of course, the more immediate concern for Strider, whose career got off to a blazing start, is making a full return from Tommy John surgery.
San Diego Padres OF Jackson Merrill
The 21-year-old Merrill was a standout in his 2024 rookie campaign, producing a 127 OPS+ with plus defense in center field. That earned him an All-Star selection. Five years from now, such all-around excellence could earn him hundreds of millions.
Cincinnati Reds SS Elly De La Cruz
With rocket arm strength, speed and power, EDLC has quickly emerged into one of the game's most electrifying players. His rare ability to hit for power and lead the league in steals could certainly earn him a rich contract. He'd only be 28 when first eligible for free agency. The key for the Boras client will be eliminating the high variance in his play and growing into a more consistent, dependable hitter.
Seattle Mariners OF Julio Rodríguez
The 2029-30 offseason marks the first player option in the massive extension Rodríguez signed near the end of his magnificent 2022 rookie season. He'll be 29 by then, but still young enough to net another long-term payday.
2030-31 offseason and beyond
Pirates ace Paul Skenes can be a free agent in the 2030-31 offseason at 28 years old. He might already be the most talented pitcher in baseball, and his historic rookie campaign puts him on a path to potentially setting numerous records on the open market.
Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. joined the trend of young stars to sign long-term deals in recent years last offseason. His 11-year, $288.7 million extension allows him to become a free agent in the 2030-31 offseason, when he has a player option.
Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll signed an extension just prior to his 2023 Rookie of the Year campaign. He won't become a free agent until the 2031-32 offseason, when he's 31.
Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio became the first star prospect to sign a long-term extension before making his MLB debut last spring. That's already proving to be a great gamble for the Brewers, as Chourio excelled in his rookie season. His eight-year $82 million deal includes two team options, but Chourio won't hit free agency until at least the 2031-32 offseason, following his age-27 season.
Padres outfielder Fernando Tatís Jr. was at the forefront of the early extension trend. Prior to Soto's deal, Tatís' 14-year pact was the longest in history and keeps him from free agency until the 2034-35 offseason, when he'll turn 36.
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