Who could break Juan Soto’s $765 million record? First look at future MLB free agent classes

For two consecutive offseasons, an MLB player received the largest contract in sports history.

Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal with the Dodgers erased Mike Trout’s previous record ($426.5 million). Juan Soto’s $765 million deal with the Mets represents an even bigger jump when you take into account the current value and the fact that Ohtani deferred $680 million over the span of two decades.

So who’s next?

Well, the Soto deal is unlikely to be overshadowed anytime soon, or at any point by a current Major League 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 next few years.

Low season 2025-26

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 his MVP-caliber level in 2024, hitting .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs, 103 RBI and a 166 OPS+.

Guerrero will be just six months older than Soto now when he hits the open market, putting him in line to earn a rich long-term contract. He probably won’t match Soto’s record contract length (15), given Vlad’s performance fluctuations, but he could become just the fourth MLB player to receive a $400 million contract.

Houston Astros OF Kyle Tucker

Some might argue that Tucker is the better player between him and Guerrero, as his hitting baseline has been higher and he is a positive defender and baserunner. The former Astro hit .289/.408/.585 with 23 home runs, 49 RBIs and a 181 OPS+ in just 78 games last season, putting him on a near MVP trajectory. If he produces at that level in his new Cubs uniform for a full season, he could be set to receive a bigger salary than Vlad. It’s also interesting to consider that almost all of Excel Sports Management’s major clients (Dansby Swanson, George Springer, Trevor Story) have changed teams in free agency in recent years, with Clayton Kershaw being an exception.

One thing working against Tucker: He will be 29 years old at the start of the 2026 season.

San Diego Padres L.D. dylan cessation and Arizona Diamondbacks L.D. Zac Gallen

The two NL West aces figure to be the best pitchers on the market next offseason. Only two pitchers have received a contract over $300 million, although that could change once Corbin Burnes signs this winter.

Cease, who will turn 30 at 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 turn 30 at the start of the 2026 season, has a pair of recent Cy Young top-five finishes.

Both pitchers are represented by Scott Boras, so they are likely to hit the open market next winter. If both have good seasons in 2025, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Boras can negotiate two more $300 million deals.

Low season 2026-27

Detroit Tigers LHP Skúbal Pull

Skubal is coming off a pitching triple crown season and is the consensus pick for best pitcher in baseball. While he won’t hit free agency for another two years upon turning 30, he could still be in line for the largest pitching contract in MLB history, given the lack of miles on his arm. He will only need to maintain his 2024 level of performance.

A pitcher, no matter how good, will not pose a threat to Soto’s record. But it seems possible that Skubal earns more annually than anyone else in baseball other than two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. He’s also a Boras client, which means they’ll probably fight for that brand.

Boston Red Sox LHP Garrett Crochet

Crochet will be 27 years old 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 for an extension. When he was rumored to be a trade candidate before 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 negotiate an extension in the near future. It would certainly be nine figures, but it could be less than what he would fetch on the open market two winters from now.

Low season 2027-28

Baltimore Orioles do 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 best 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 hits free agency, Rutschman is expected to surpass Joe Mauer’s record eight-year, $184 million extension for a catcher.

Something to keep in mind, Rutschman’s agency (Beverly Hill Sports Council) helped negotiate the extension Jackson Chourio received before he even played an MLB game.

Milwaukee Brewers do Guillermo Contreras

Like Rutschman, Contreras could also threaten Mauer’s contract record for catchers. The two-time All-Star will also turn 30 that offseason and has been a slightly better hitter than Rutschman, although not as good defensively. Just don’t expect him to get that mega deal with the Brewers.

Seattle Mariners L.D. Logan Gilberto

It’s possible that the player who receives the largest contract in the 2027-28 offseason will be a pitcher. Gilbert, who will be 30 years old when he is eligible for free agency that year, has been among the American League’s best pitchers since 2022. When considering his ERA (league-leading 0.887 WHIP in 2024) and durability (league-leading the league with 208.2 innings pitched). 2024), could have a great chance to join the list of $300 million pitchers.

Low season 2028-29

Baltimore Orioles H.H Gunnar Henderson

A year after Rutschman hits free agency, Henderson is also scheduled to hit the open market. Henderson emerges as the best candidate to threaten Soto’s record for the foreseeable future. The 23-year-old is arguably the best shortstop in the game, hitting .281/.364/.529 with 37 home runs and a 159 OPS+ last season. Those numbers are better than what Soto put up at the plate in his age-23 season. Henderson will be 27 years old when he finally hits free agency, putting a long and lucrative extension on the line. Your agent? Boras.

Star shortstops have long been paid at the top of the market, which puts Henderson in line for an intriguing deal if he continues at his current pace.

Houston Astros DE/DH Jordan 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 years old when he hits the open market, but could still cash in given his consistent and prolific production . Only Aaron Judge has a higher career OPS+.

Low season 2029-30

New York Mets OF Juan Soto

Soto can opt out of his current contract after five seasons upon turning 31. He will already have earned $255 million from the Mets, who could opt out by committing another $550 million over the next 10 years, which equates to an annual increase of $4 million.

Atlanta Braves OF Ronald Acuña Jr.

Unless another extension is made, Acuña can get his first taste of free agency in the 2029-30 offseason. He’ll turn 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 his career by a year (and torn his ACL twice), he might have been the best candidate to negotiate a deal in Soto’s range.

Atlanta Braves L.D. Spencer Strider

Strider, who has a team option for the 2029 season, could also join teammate Acuña in free agency in the 2029-30 offseason. Then he will be 31 years old, which will still allow him to receive a payday in the long term. Of course, the most immediate concern for Strider, whose career is off to a bright start, is making a full recovery from Tommy John surgery.

San Diego Padres OF Jackson Merrill

Merrill, 21, broke out in his rookie 2024 campaign, producing a 127 OPS+ with superior defense in center field. That earned him an All-Star selection. Within five years, that all-round excellence could earn you hundreds of millions.

Cincinnati Reds H.H Elly Dela Cruz

With strength, speed, and rocket-arm power, EDLC has quickly become one of the most electrifying players in the game. His rare ability to hit for power and lead the league in steals could certainly land him a rich contract. He would only be 28 years old when he was first eligible for free agency. The key for Boras’ client will be to eliminate the large variation in his game and become a more consistent and reliable hitter.

Seattle Mariners OF Julio Rodríguez

The 2029-30 offseason marks the first player option in the massive extension Rodriguez signed near the end of his magnificent 2022 rookie season. He’ll be 29 by then, but still young enough to earn another payday in the long term.

Low season 2030-31 and beyond

Pirates ace Paul Skenes can be a free agent in the 2030-31 offseason at age 28. He may already be the most talented pitcher in baseball, and his historic rookie campaign puts him on track to potentially set numerous records on the open market.

Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. joined the trend of young stars signing long-term deals in recent years this past 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 before his 2023 Rookie of the Year campaign. He won’t become a free agent until the 2031-32 offseason, when he will be 31 years old.

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 big bet for the Brewers, as Chourio excelled in his rookie season. His eight-year, $82 million contract 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. Before Soto’s deal, Tatís’ 14-year pact was the longest in history and keeps him away from free agency until the 2034-35 offseason, when he will turn 36.

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