JUST IN: Phillies all out for half a billion dollars player.

Juan Soto’s anticipated contract will put the Phillies’ financial flexibility to the test. As one of the hottest topics this winter, Soto has positioned himself perfectly for a record-breaking deal. Approaching his 26th birthday, the seasoned slugger is due for a massive payday after an outstanding 2024 season.

The 25-year-old batted .288 with a .989 OPS, blasted 41 home runs, and walked 129 times—10 more than his strikeouts. Leading the New York Yankees’ playoff charge, Soto has delivered memorable moments, including a game-winning, three-run homer in extra innings of Game 5 of the ALCS, which sent the Yankees to the World Series.

Soto’s career stats are equally impressive, boasting 201 home runs, a .285 average, and six seasons with a .900+ OPS, all before turning 26. With four All-Star and Silver Slugger honors and multiple top-nine MVP finishes (likely top-three in 2024), Soto has proven his worth.

Spotrac, a leading sports contract resource, estimates his market value to approach the $500 million mark, a threshold only crossed by Shohei Ohtani, who signed a $700 million contract last offseason. Given Soto’s rare talent and the high demand for a generational player, a contract even higher than that estimate isn’t out of the question.

Juan Soto

While the Phillies are reportedly in the running, the Yankees and Mets are seen as front-runners due to factors like the Yankees’ deep playoff run and owner Steve Cohen’s resources with the Mets. However, the Phillies have shown a willingness to spend big, making a serious offer for Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto last offseason. With recent nine-figure deals for players like Trea Turner, Aaron Nola, and Zack Wheeler, Phillies’ owner John Middleton and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski have demonstrated a commitment to doing “whatever it takes” to win.

A major offer to Soto would reinforce that ambition, though financial limits may eventually play a role. Whether Soto ends up in red pinstripes or elsewhere, the Phillies are sure to be in the mix.