The Juan Soto sweepstakes are entering their final stretch. The Boston Red Sox are reportedly pulling out all the stops to land the superstar slugger. As Soto nears a decision, rumors say that he could choose his next destination as soon as this weekend. So, naturally, the Red Sox are looking for one final opportunity to make their pitch. According to an insider, the Red Sox aren’t backing down, increasing their offer to nearly $600 million. 

Sources close to the situation say the team is eager to sit down with Soto and his agent. They have requested one more in-depth conversation before a decision is made. For the Red Sox, it’s clear that Soto represents the kind of generational talent they’re willing to invest in for the long haul. But with competition from other major-market teams also in the mix, Boston’s huge bid shows just how much they’re willing to do to bring the dynamic outfielder to Fenway Park.

Boston Red Sox request a sit-down with Juan Soto 

The immense wealth of Mets owner Steve Cohen is making plenty of teams uneasy about their chances of getting Juan Soto. According to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, the Red Sox are eager to get some clarity on where they stand in the race for Soto. Rumors have been swirling that Cohen has told Soto’s agent that he’s prepared to offer a jaw-dropping $50 million more than any other team’s highest bid. That is an offer that would put the Mets in a commanding position. As Speier notes, that perception alone is shaping how teams like the Red Sox are approaching their own bids. 

Ken Rosenthal has just raised the stakes even higher in the Juan Soto sweepstakes. He threw out a potential contract figure that could make even the most high-spending teams blink: 15 years, $750 million. Speaking on Foul Territory, Rosenthal suggested that a deal of that magnitude would break records. The idea of a $750 million offer for the 26-year-old outfielder is staggering. If that number feels astronomical, that’s because it is—the reality is that Soto is one of the rarest talents in baseball, and his age only makes him more valuable for teams looking to lock down a franchise cornerstone for the next decade or more. 

Predictions about the Dominican player’s contract 

When it comes to generational talents like Soto, history has shown that projections often fall short. Think back to Alex Rodriguez shattering records, Gerrit Cole breaking the pitching market, and Aaron Judge earning an unexpected payday. Most recently, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto exceeded even the most optimistic forecasts. These players were all expected to command massive deals, but in the end, they all received more. Free agency isn’t just about rational numbers; it’s a game of irrational bidding.

CBS Sports is making a bold prediction that Juan Soto will smash two major contract records as he enters free agency. First up, they predict Soto will break the record for the largest total guarantee in MLB history. That would mean eclipsing Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal, which is already the gold standard for massive contracts. Soto’s age, elite production, and marketability make him a rare talent who could command even more. So, a contract that could potentially surpass Ohtani’s remarkable figure will solidify Soto as the new benchmark in baseball deals.

But it doesn’t stop there; CBS also predicted Soto will claim the largest average annual value (AAV) in MLB history once adjusted for deferrals. Ohtani currently holds that record with an AAV of $46.1 million. However, considering Soto’s younger age, track record, and unique marketability, he could very well command a contract that pushes this AAV into uncharted territory. Whether or not Juan Soto actually breaks these records remains to be seen, but with his combination of age, skill, and impact, he’s in a position to rewrite the free-agent history books.