There are players who are encouraged by Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract. Juan Soto (New York Yankees), Pete Alonso (New York Mets), and Jose Altuve (Houston Astros).
MLB followed Ohtani’s lead on Monday with a list of players looking to “break out” next year.
First on the list is outfielder Soto.
Soto reportedly turned down a 15-year, $440 million offer from the Washington Nationals before being traded to the San Diego Padres in 2022.
After a somewhat lackluster first year in San Diego, Soto rebounded in the 2023 season, allowing him to outbid Washington in free agency, MLB.com reported.
He could also see a $500 million contract from the Yankees next year if he repeats his performance this year.
Soto ranks fifth in the history of both major leagues in career OPS+ (157) for players 24 and under (with at least 3,000 plate appearances).
At No. 2 is first baseman Alonso.
With Alonso, you can basically expect 40+ home runs and 100+ RBIs every season, according to MLB.com.
The lowest he’s ever hit is 37 home runs. Over the past two years, Alonso has hit 86 home runs. In 2022, he led the majors with 131 RBIs for an OPS of 0.869.
MLB estimated that Alonso’s price tag would be similar to Freddie Freeman’s six-year, $162 million deal and Matt Olson’s eight-year, $168 million deal.
In third place is the “little giant” second baseman, Altuve.
Altuve will be entering his age-35 season in 2025, but he has remained productive over the past few years. The former AL MVP, three-time batting champion, and eight-time All-Star struggled with injuries during the 2023 season, but still 스포츠토토 managed to hit 17 home runs, 14 doubles, and a 0.915 OPS. Over the past two seasons, he’s slashed .304/0.390/0.529 with a bWAR of nearly 8, MLB explained.
MLB reports that Houston will surely retain the franchise icon and postseason hero with another contract extension.
Meanwhile, Ha-Sung Kim (San Diego) is also a free agent after the 2024 season. There is a mutual option for 2025, but Kim is certain to hit the free agent market.