Aaron Judge’s salary won’t limit Juan Soto’s payday

Speculation surrounding the New York Yankees' potential salary offer for Juan Soto has ignited discussions among baseball analysts. Contrary to reports suggesting the Yankees would limit Soto's annual salary to Aaron Judge's $40 million, experts argue that this figure is an underestimation. Judge, recognized as the top position player in the league, accepted a lower salary to remain with the Yankees, a factor that may not apply to Soto, who is significantly younger and still in his prime years. Soto, at just 25 years old, is expected to command a higher salary, especially considering recent contracts in the league. For instance, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, also 25 and without MLB experience, secured a staggering $325 million deal, alongside a $50.6 million posting fee. The competitive nature of the market, with multiple big-market teams vying for top talent, suggests that Soto's value could exceed Judge's contract, particularly as the Philadelphia Phillies are rumored to be willing to offer even more. In addition to Soto's situation, the Yankees face decisions regarding other key players. Gerrit Cole, who has been performing exceptionally with a 0.52 ERA in his last three starts, is expected to opt out of his contract. The Yankees may respond by extending his deal for an additional year at $36 million. Other players, such as Blake Snell and Matt Chapman, are also likely to opt out of their contracts, indicating a busy offseason ahead for the Yankees as they navigate their roster and salary cap.