In a bold move, Juan Soto rejected a lucrative $440 million contract offer from the Washington Nationals. At 25, he's currently in his final arbitration season, earning $31 million, and is slated to become a free agent after the season ends.

Estimates suggest that Soto could potentially secure a contract exceeding $500 million.

The opening bid for Soto's contract is expected to hit $500 million. According to sources, there's speculation that Soto aims for a deal similar to Shohei Ohtani's, minus any deferred payments.

Ohtani's contract with the Dodgers was a 10-year, $700 million deal, but with significant deferred payments. This brought the present-day value down to $460 million, resulting in an average annual value of $46 million. Soto could be eyeing a contract that surpasses this annual average.

Soto's journey has taken him through three different teams prior to reaching free agency. Initially acquired by the Padres during the 2022 trade deadline, they sought his talents to enhance their postseason prospects. However, following a disappointing 2023 season, the Padres decided to trade him to the Yankees. Interestingly, despite being aware of Soto's impending free agency, the Yankees made the acquisition, indicating their confidence in his abilities and potentially securing his services beyond the current season.

Soto's tenure with the Yankees is off to a stellar beginning. With a batting average of .345 and the team boasting a 6-1 record after seven games, his impact on their performance is undeniable.

Soto made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Washington Nationals, where he quickly made a mark. His standout moment came in 2019 when he clinched the World Series title with the team. Additionally, he boasts an impressive record with four top-10 NL MVP finishes to his name.

In February, Brian Cashman stated.. "We recognized when we went into this situation that the odds are that it's a one-year situation before free agency," Cashman said. "Certainly, that can change, I guess, but the odds are certainly against that. He's this close to free agency. I don't see too many things stopping him from hitting free agency."