Cubs Named Top Landing Spot for Superstar Predicted to Sign $622 Million Deal
November 2, 2024
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By Matt Musico
Contributing Sports Writer
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Now that the season is over, the Juan Soto free agency sweepstakes can officially begin after months of speculation. Teams like the New York Yankees and New York Mets are viewed as the favorites to land the 26-year-old outfielder. But do the Chicago Cubs have a shot at signing him?
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter thinks a fit between Soto and the Cubs makes sense. He shared his top 10 potential landing spots for the slugger this winter on Wednesday. While the Yankees (first) and Mets (second) were at the top, Chicago placed third.
The Cubs finished this high because Reuter is assuming outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger will opt out of his three-year, $80 million deal. That would leave a major hole in manager Craig Counsell’s lineup that Soto could easily fill.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 29: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees doubles during the eighth inning of Game Four of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee… NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 29: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees doubles during the eighth inning of Game Four of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City.
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
“With one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, major market appeal and a glaring need for a face-of-the-franchise-level superstar, the Cubs can’t be overlooked as a potential landing spot for Soto this winter,” Reuter said.
Soto spent 2024 with the Yankees and was a crucial reason behind New York reaching the World Series for the first time since 2009. Soto slashed .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs, 109 RBI and 128 runs scored in 576 plate appearances. That homer total is a new career-high mark, as is the 7.9 WAR he produced, according to Baseball-Reference.
While it’s intriguing to wonder which team Soto will ultimately pick, the value of his next deal is also a hot topic. ESPN’s Jeff Passan said in August that the floor will be $500 million. Spotrac has projected his market value at 14 years and $513 million. However, others think it will be much higher than that. Jim Bowden of The Athletic just predicted Soto would land a $622 million deal.
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