Former MLB player compares ‘lightyears’ ahead Shohei Ohtani to $765 million Juan Soto after historic signing
Ex-MLBer Chipper Jones comments on what Shohei Ohtani’s value would have been if he signed before Juan Soto.
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Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto [Image Credit: Imago]
Ex-MLBer Larry Wayne Jones Jr., known as ‘Chipper Jones’, recently discussed on Foul Territory what Shohei Ohtani’s contract would have been if he signed before Juan Soto. Soto’s mega-deal of 15-year $765 million shook the market as many compared him to Ohtani’s last year’s $700 million deal.
During their discussion, the host Erik Kratz said he believes the two-way Japanese star Shohei Ohtani is “lightyears above” Juan Soto. While many called Soto the “generational talent” he believes the Ohtani is the true talent in present-day baseball.
If Soto hit free agency first and had signed the $765 million deal with the New York Mets, then Ohtani would have gotten “a billion” as per Chipper Jones. Ohtani’s historic deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers of 10-year $700 million stumped the MLB world last year.
However, his massive signing was overtaken by Soto who was offered $765 million by Mets owner Steve Cohen. Following the conclusion of the World Series Juan Soto’s market value was hyped up starting from $600 million.
If Juan Soto hit free agency before Shohei Ohtani, how much would Ohtani have gotten?
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) December 16, 2024
"A billion," says @RealCJ10. pic.twitter.com/eMt8IRciBj
That number was soon dwarfed by many MLB teams who wanted to sign the outfielder for a strong 2025 season run. His former team, the New York Yankees came close to that number by offering him a 16-year $760 million deal.
Other competitors like the Boston Red Sox, and the Toronto Blue Jays, came close to the amount but were far off from what the Yankees and Mets gave. The Los Angeles Dodgers participated in the Soto race too but didn’t go so far as offering his $700 million.
Reasons behind Juan Soto’s signing with Mets vs. Yankees
During his introductory press conference as a New York Mets, Juan Soto revealed the real reason why he chose them instead of the New York Yankees. He said that he thought the Mets have “a better future than Yankees” and went on to sign the $765 million deal.
Along with the $765 million, he got $75 million as a signing bonus with $51 million AAV. He’ll also enjoy a free luxury suite given for the comfort of his family and friends at Citi Field. They’ll also receive security along with four premium tickets behind home plate for regular and postseason games.
Reports emerged after his massive signing, that a Yankees security guard restricted one of his parents from a certain place at the stadium. Even his driver and cook were restricted from entry and they had to wait in the rain.
"I think Juan Soto looked at the New York Mets' future … and believed that the Mets have a better future than Yankees."@JeffPassan tells @notthefakeSVP on why Soto chose the Mets over the Yankees despite only a $5M difference ? pic.twitter.com/lL4bXmARGD
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 9, 2024
Soto, who is well-known as a family guy, liked the Mets’ way of welcoming player families. He admitted that these were the reasons he called the Mets his home for the next decade and more.
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Kaushani Chatterjee
(2140 Articles Published)