"More than Aaron Judge" – MLB sportscaster claims Yankees offered Juan Soto $41,000,000/year deal, fulfilling superstar free agent's opt-out request

The New York Yankees don't generally lend out long-term contracts with opt-outs in place, but it seems they might have to do that to sign All-Star outfielder Juan Soto.

Soto's free agency is heating up, with five teams making an offer to him, including the Boston Red Sox, who have reportedly offered him a 13-year, $635 million contract. Other teams include the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers and the Blue Jays, who are said to have offered him in the neighborhood of $600 million.

During Friday's episode of his podcast, sportscaster Lee Hackshaw Hamilton shared a few updates regarding Yankees' pursuit of Soto, which includes a $41 million annual offer with opt-out clauses.

"I was told the Yankees have upped their offer for Juan Soto," Hamilton said (12:15 onwards).

"I was told the offer is $41 million per year, which pays him more than Aaron Judge got. I was also told the Yankees have considered Soto's request to include opt-out clauses in his contract after the fifth year, sixth year, and seventh year. Moreover, if Soto wants to test free agency at age 31, he could always opt out after the fifth year."

The biggest contract the Yankees have offered anyone was to Aaron Judge, who signed a nine-year, $360 million deal after his historic 2022 season. What Soto seems to be signing for is almost double, but it remains to be seen if he gets what he's after from the Yankees.

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Lee Hackshaw Hamilton sees no serious competition apart from New York teams in Juan Soto sweepstakes

Lee Hackshaw Hamilton added that he doesn't feel the Dodgers and the Blue Jays are in the bidding race and that he's unaware if the Mets have upped the offer as well. That's why Hamilton believes that Soto will remain with the Yankees.

"So, to me, it looks like Soto is going to stay with the Yankees," Hamilton added. "We don’t know if the Mets have upped their offer yet. I don’t think the Dodgers are in the running, and I don’t think Toronto is either.

"They’re trying really hard to flash the fact that they’ve got Guerrero, Bichette, and a good farm system, but I just don’t see Soto going to Toronto. I’ve got to believe it’s going to be the Yankees."

Things are expected to get clear soon, with rumors swirling that Juan Soto will likely decide on his next destination by the upcoming MLB GM Winter meetings, which are scheduled between Dec. 8-11 in Dallas.