Answering it was more durable than it appeared, partly as a result of Soto’s deal shattered all earlier ones (Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract had a gift worth of lower than $500 million), but additionally as a result of quite a lot of gamers who would have been threats had signed contract extensions already. To even be thought of for a deal of that magnitude takes the uncommon mixture of age and superstardom, and with Bobby Witt Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Corbin Carroll and Jackson Chourio all locked up long run, the candidates are severely restricted. The extension months later for San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill erased one of many prime candidates to dethrone Soto.
Increasing the train to these executives and brokers made for a much more fascinating query: Who’re the $100 million-plus gamers within the sport proper now?
The nine-figure contract is not as unusual because it was once — greater than 150 have been given to gamers for the reason that first was signed by Kevin Brown in 1998 — however it stays maybe the clearest threshold of a wonderful participant. And so off we went, on a quest with baseball insiders to establish the subsequent era of $100 million gamers.
Listed below are the names that got here up most, from the crowded $100 million tier all the way in which to the famous person deemed most probably to land the subsequent $600 million megadeal.
(Not included within the beneath record are gamers who already are a part of the nine-figure membership, even when they’re in line for one more $100 million-plus deal. These embrace Witt, Carroll, Merrill, Yordan Alvarez, Ronald Acuna Jr., Garrett Crochet and Alex Bregman.)
Leap to: $100M | $200M | $300M | $400M | $500M | $600M
$100 million
Be aware: As a result of the $100 million-plus deal is not almost the rarity it as soon as was, we have damaged this tier into 4 classes: gamers in every of the subsequent three free agent lessons, plus those that aren’t set to hit free company till the 2028-29 offseason or later. Additionally included with every group is a listing of gamers who’re greater than able to incomes their technique to 9 figures, however aren’t but there.
Class of 2025-26
Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets: After a brutal free company by which he sought upward of 4 instances the $54 million over two years that he finally signed for in January, Alonso has put himself comfortably into the $100 million class with a shot at $200 million assuming he opts out of his present deal after the season. The identical points groups had final winter stay. He is in his 30s. He performs a place groups do not prioritize. Nevertheless it’s unimaginable to disregard his manufacturing and talent to remain on the sector in addition to his evolution: Alonso really has extra walks than strikeouts this season, an exceedingly uncommon high quality for a hitter with a lot energy.
Michael King, SP, San Diego Padres: Two years in the past, King was a reliever for the New York Yankees. Now he is one of the best pitcher within the class. King’s sinker and slider have elite motion, and his command of his four-pitch arsenal is outstanding. He strikes out oodles of hitters, maintains his velocity and will wind up with an even bigger deal in free company than his teammate with flashier stuff who’s listed subsequent on this record.
Dylan Stop, SP, San Diego Padres: Stop has lengthy been thought of the gem of a powerful crop of starters scheduled to hit free company after this season, and it is easy to see why. His slider is a weapon. His fastball sits at 97 mph. The stuff is nasty. However he by no means has been capable of keep away from walks, and that can scare away some suitors. Stop is a lot better than the 5.61 ERA he at present sports activities (a 3.34 FIP portends higher outcomes) and he ought to get a five-plus-year deal, however $200 million-plus might be out of attain due to the free passes.
Zac Gallen, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks: Whereas Gallen’s stuff has ticked down this season and he turns 30 in August, he has been a constant sufficient innings eater with a excessive sufficient strikeout price to warrant inclusion among the many nine-figure aspirants. His elevated stroll charges every of the previous two seasons are of concern for a pitcher whose fastball sits at 93, so Gallen must pare these again if he desires to remain on this group.
Framber Valdez, SP, Houston Astros: He is throwing more durable than ever, which is the form of factor that helps persuade groups to spend money on a beginning pitcher who might be 32 subsequent Opening Day. Listed at 5-foot-11, 232 kilos, Valdez would not have the form of physique that tends to age effectively, however he throws numerous innings, would not stroll hitters, wields loads of postseason expertise and limits house runs. That’s an thrilling group of attributes, even when sinkerballers aren’t the sexiest signings in at present’s strikeout-focused sport.
Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays: Two years in the past, Bichette appeared like a lock for $300 million. A brutal 2024 soured his inventory, and whereas his common has climbed early this season, the ability he confirmed in three consecutive 20-plus-homer seasons stays AWOL. As a result of he’ll be a 28-year-old shortstop, Bichette can get 9 figures. He additionally might go for a short-term cope with opt-outs to maximise his alternatives to hit the market after a powerful season.
Kyle Schwarber, DH, Philadelphia Phillies: A delegated hitter who’s going to be 33 subsequent Opening Day getting a nine-figure deal? Schwarber is an outlier in so many different respects, so why not right here, too? He’s terminally productive. He’s an distinctive clubhouse chief. No person would blink at giving him $25 million a yr, and a four-year ask — significantly in a category weak on high-end bats — is eminently cheap.
Contenders: 2B Luis Arraez, SP Jack Flaherty, CF Cedric Mullins, 1B Josh Naylor.
Class of 2026-27
Freddy Peralta, SP, Milwaukee Brewers: The Class of 2026-27 is shaping as much as be an all-time weak group of free brokers. Peralta isn’t any positive factor to be a nine-figure participant, however since becoming a member of Milwaukee’s rotation in 2021, he has the 11th-best ERA+ of any pitcher with 100-plus begins. Of these forward of him, six have signed for $100 million-plus, and the others are Tarik Skubal (the highest participant within the Class of ’26-27), Framber Valdez, Logan Webb and Sonny Grey. Peralta is displaying no indicators of getting old, throwing more durable this yr than ever, and he’ll be 30 on Opening Day after his free company.
Contenders: OF Randy Arozarena, 3B Alec Bohm, 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr., OF Adolis Garcia, 2B Nico Hoerner, IF Gavin Lux, SP Jesus Luzardo, SP Casey Mize, SP Brady Singer, OF Seiya Suzuki, OF Daulton Varsho.
Class of 2027-28
Adley Rutschman, C, Baltimore Orioles: Two years in the past, he would have been within the $300 million group. After final yr, $200 million. And Rutschman might nonetheless very simply discover himself in both. For now, although, the shortage of thump in his bat and poor catching metrics have soured groups on the prospect of handing Rutschman franchise-player cash. Additionally vital: Catchers merely do not receives a commission like different positions as a result of groups fear about their long-term well being. The largest deal ever for a catcher is Joe Mauer’s for $184 million, and the largest for a free agent catcher is J.T. Realmuto’s at $115.5 million.
Shane McClanahan, SP, Tampa Bay Rays: When he is wholesome, McClanahan is a top-10 pitcher in baseball and he nonetheless has loads of time to take his spot within the $200 million group. However for now, after sitting out 2024 due to his second Tommy John surgical procedure, and all of 2025 to this point due to a nerve subject in his throwing arm, McClanahan belongs on this class.
Jeremy Peña, SS, Houston Astros: One of many sneaky steadiest gamers in baseball. Peña is not a lot of a menace to complete excessive in MVP voting, however his flooring is greater than most. He is simply good, a constant four-win participant, and if he can carry that for 3 extra seasons, he’ll attain free company at 30 as a reasonably good akin to Willy Adames, who simply cashed in for $182 million as a 29-year-old over the winter.
MacKenzie Gore, SP, Washington Nationals: No pitcher within the class has the ceiling of Gore, who might be a 29-year-old free agent. His 13.3 strikeouts per 9 innings lead all of MLB this yr, and if Gore can preserve controlling his walks and restrict the house runs he provides up, he is a $200 million participant. Even within the absence of that, Gore’s arsenal performs up considerably when he can spot it, and groups are all the time keen to wager on a pitcher with strikeout stuff whose age begins with a 2.
William Contreras, C, Milwaukee Brewers: His lack of slug this yr is a bit worrisome (he has solely three house runs in 117 at-bats) and a continuation of it might thrust Contreras again into eight figures. However he nonetheless hits the ball very exhausting — if not persistently — and he is a weapon behind the plate together with his arm. One potential subject: Framing will not have almost the worth it does now by the point Contreras is a free agent due to the anticipated implementation of the automated ball-strike problem system.
Steven Kwan, OF, Cleveland Guardians: Kwan is a pleasant participant. He hits for a excessive common, hardly ever strikes out, runs the bases with supreme intelligence and might play a imply left subject. On the similar time, no person together with his perceived profile — an offensive sport personified by batting common — has ever signed a nine-figure deal. That is as a lot a wager on Kwan’s sport evolving barely, in addition to his all-around excellence, as something, and his career-best .467 slugging proportion to this point this season is an effective signal.
Joe Ryan, SP, Minnesota Twins: Ryan may be one of the best under-the-radar pitcher within the huge leagues, a constant strikeout machine whose stroll price over the previous three seasons ranks sixth amongst all huge league starters. If Ryan can restrict house runs — and he is doing so this season in comparison with his previous two — he’ll safe his spot within the nine-figure membership, whilst he turns 32 two months after Opening Day in 2028.
Pablo López, SP, Minnesota Twins: López was set to succeed in free company final winter however signed a four-year, $73.5 million extension in April 2023. Although he might be 32 when the 2028 season begins, he’s inducing extra groundballs than ever and limiting house runs, two glorious indicators for his future worth. López is among the many smartest pitchers in baseball, the form of factor that can give groups peace of thoughts whilst he ages.
Contenders: SP Sandy Alcantara, 2B Ozzie Albies, UT Brendan Donovan, SP Tanner Houck, SP Nick Lodolo, 3B Isaac Paredes, CF Luis Robert Jr., 2B Bryson Stott.
Class of 2028-2029 or later
Be aware: Gamers on this class are listed so as of age on Opening Day the season after they attain free company. Gamers who’ve but to debut within the main leagues will not be included.
Junior Caminero, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays: One good yr and Caminero will graduate from the $100 million tier. Just a few standout seasons and the price will rise multiplicatively. Past his immense energy, probably the most alluring factor about Caminero is his age. He is set to succeed in free company in 2031 at 27. And if he does so coming off a powerful season, Caminero — now 21 — will get a megadeal of no less than $300 million and doubtless extra.
Eury Perez, SP, Miami Marlins: How is a participant who’s at present on the shelf after Tommy John surgical procedure — who has thrown fewer than 100 main league innings — in line to affix the nine-figure membership? Properly, for starters, Pérez was actually, actually good when he was wholesome. Greater than that, although, he debuted simply 27 days after his twentieth birthday, and Pérez is the one participant on this whole evaluation who will hit free company at 26 years outdated. Maybe elbow reconstruction robs Pérez of his triple-digit fastball velocity or the lean on his slider. If Pérez’s stuff returns, although, he’ll shortly belong within the $200 million group – and even greater.
Masyn Winn, SS, St. Louis Cardinals: No person ought to query Winn’s defensive bonafides. His bat will decide his monetary ceiling, and Winn has loads of time to develop. What’s vital to recollect: He performs a place that will get paid in free company, and he’ll flip 28 simply earlier than Opening Day in 2030. If Winn is even barely above common, that is a $100 million participant. If he is something extra, the quantity might be large.
CJ Abrams, SS, Washington Nationals: Between his age when he hits free company after the 2028 season (28), the place he performs (shortstop) and his power-speed mixture (.284/.333/.523 with 4 house runs and 6 stolen bases this season), Abrams has an opportunity to be a uncommon free agent. Abrams will not get there till he begins hitting the ball more durable and extra persistently — and maybe strikes off shortstop, the place he is common at greatest defensively.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF, Chicago Cubs: To this point, Crow-Armstrong has rejected entreaties from the Cubs relating to an extension. Chicago supplied a deal within the $75 million vary. If Crow-Armstrong retains up even an inexpensive facsimile of his manufacturing, he’ll vault into this $200 million class by this winter, and by the point he is a free agent after the 2030 season, it might be twice that. The one factor maintaining him from it now, frankly, is plate self-discipline.
Zach Neto, SS, Los Angeles Angels: As a result of he performs for the Angels, Neto is wildly underappreciated. And as a shortstop who will hit free company at 28 (and switch 29 in January 2030), he might simply vault himself into the $200 million-plus group. Neto packs big energy right into a slight body, is fearless on the basepaths and is effectively above common on protection.
Hunter Greene, SP, Cincinnati Reds: Had Greene not signed a six-year extension with a membership choice, he would have been a near-lock for the $200 million membership. He nonetheless might get there anyway, coming into the 2030 season at 30. Greene has halved his profession stroll price this season whereas sustaining gaudy strikeout numbers, and together with his MLB-best 99.3 mph common fastball, it is the form of energy stuff that get groups excited.
Spencer Schwellenbach, SP, Atlanta Braves: This can be a wager on Schwellenbach’s array of stuff and mature mound presence. Suggesting a soon-to-be-25-year-old with fewer than 200 huge league innings will warrant 9 figures is dangerous. He would not attain free company till after the 2030 season. But when there’s anybody to wager on, it is a pitcher with excessive athleticism whose fastball sits 97 mph and is certainly one of six pitches he throws with large command.
Hunter Brown, SP, Houston Astros: The pitcher with one of the best ERA within the AL over the past calendar yr comes with energy stuff and a burgeoning potential to manage it. Brown has entertained taking an extension in previous seasons — and ought to be glad he did not. As a result of if he can pair productiveness and well being, he’ll simply surpass $100 million and be an excellent wager to blow previous $200 million.
Cole Ragans, SP, Kansas Metropolis Royals: The concern of Ragans’ damage historical past — back-to-back Tommy John surgical procedures and greater than three years with out throwing in an expert sport — will all the time hold over his future. His brilliance over the previous two years cannot be overstated, although, and so long as his left arm stays intact, Ragans will advantage inclusion on this group.
George Kirby, SP, Seattle Mariners: No, he hasn’t thrown an enormous league pitch this yr due to a shoulder subject, and, sure, he’ll be 31 when he debuts after signing a free agent deal. However Kirby’s first three huge league seasons have been an train in constant high quality. No person within the sport’s historical past has struck out as many hitters over such a span whereas strolling as few as Kirby has in his 89 profession begins. (Proper behind Kirby’s 484-to-64 ratio is Greg Maddux at 488 to 65.) It is a distinctive profile, one that will not lack curiosity and will find yourself at $200 million-plus.
Geraldo Perdomo, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks: Perdomo simply signed a four-year, $45 million extension with a membership choice that purchased out three free agent seasons and can depart him as a free agent at 31. Perdomo has been good this yr, almost matching his profession excessive in house runs, getting on base at a .400 clip and strolling greater than he strikes out. And there are few higher with the glove, simply positioning him to money in as soon as free company beckons.
Logan Webb, SP, San Francisco Giants: Like Perdomo, Webb signed a multiyear deal that purchased out three years of free company, and he’ll be 32 when he is a free agent following the 2028 season. Together with his sinker-slider-changeup trio, constant command, a excessive groundball price and a low house run price, Webb, even at that age, is primed to be in excessive demand.
Jarren Duran, OF, Boston Crimson Sox: He was initially on the $200 million record, however his age is a mitigating issue. When Duran reaches free company after the 2028 season, he’ll already be 32. And as dynamic a participant as he’s, outfielders who depend on their legs have a tendency to not age effectively. That stated, a $100 million-plus deal could be one hell of a comfort prize.
Contenders: OF Wilyer Abreu, C Francisco Alvarez, SP Shane Baz, SP Taj Bradley, SP Kris Bubic, 1B Michael Busch, OF Kerry Carpenter, OF Colton Cowser, OF Dylan Crews, CF Brenton Doyle, C Yainer Diaz, 2B Jackson Holliday, SP Jared Jones, SP Jack Leiter, SP Nick Lodolo, SP Rhett Lowder, SP Matthew Liberatore, 1B Kyle Manzardo, 2B Matt McLain, SP Max Meyer, SP Bryce Miller, RP Mason Miller, OF Lars Nootbaar, C Logan O’Hoppe, SP Reese Olson, OF Andy Pages, 1B Vinnie Pasquantino, OF Heliot Ramos, 1B Ben Rice, OF Cam Smith, 1B Tyler Soderstrom, SP Jose Soriano, OF Kyle Stowers, 1B Spencer Torkelson, 2B Brice Turang, SS Anthony Volpe, C Austin Wells, IF Jordan Westburg, SS Jacob Wilson, SP Bryan Woo.
$200 million
Oneil Cruz, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates: Cruz seems to be as if he is lastly figuring it out on the plate. His house run price has jumped. He has 14 steals in 32 video games after swiping a career-best 22 in 146 video games final yr. His stroll price is the fifth greatest in baseball. His strikeouts are down. All that is separating him from stardom is a ghastly glove in middle, the place the 6-foot-7 Cruz moved from shortstop. Even when proper subject is his final vacation spot, Cruz’s offensive talents are bountiful sufficient to earn a quantity that begins with a 2 when he hits free company at 30.
Riley Greene, CF, Detroit Tigers: Greene has each age and place on his facet — he’ll flip 28 proper earlier than he hits the market in 2029 and is a stable defender at a premium place. His strikeouts are a little bit too excessive, his walks a little bit too low, however nearly all the things else Greene does performs, and on prime of that, he is prone to have loads of postseason expertise by the point he is a free agent.
Roki Sasaki, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers: Of all these within the teams above $100 million, Sasaki is the largest wild card. He additionally has a few of the greatest potential of the group, making him a tough participant to position. Between now and November 2030, when the rookie is about to hit free company, he might very simply blossom into one of the best pitcher on the planet. He additionally might by no means discover the 100 mph fastball he recurrently threw in Japan and wind up a large case of what might have been. This placement is solely a wager on his splitter, a real unicorn pitch.
Spencer Strider, SP, Atlanta Braves: Strider’s six-year, $75 million extension signed in October 2022 set a file for a pitcher with such little service time. Ought to the Braves train a membership choice in 2029, it should put Strider onto the market at 31 — the identical age as his former Braves teammate Max Fried was when he bought eight years and $218 million from the Yankees final winter. When he is wholesome, Strider is even higher than Fried, and if he can maintain his stuff, he may be a greater wager for the $300 million membership.
Logan Gilbert, SP, Seattle Mariners: He has measurement, he has stuff, he has innings and he has adaptability. Gilbert is the quintessential trendy pitcher, and with $200 million now the usual for true aces, he qualifies. Gilbert is because of hit free company after the 2028 season, and if he can get previous the elbow points at present sidelining him and proceed to supply till then, groups might be lining up for his companies.
Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF, Boston Crimson Sox: It is odd to incorporate a participant who signed an extension a month in the past, however the 22-year-old Campbell’s bat is that particular. Boston has him locked up for the subsequent eight years at $60 million with two membership choices on prime of that, which suggests if he makes it to free company, Campbell might be 32 on Opening Day in … 2035. If he’s what the Crimson Sox suppose he’s, although, likelihood is they will attempt to make him a one-uniform participant earlier than then — and that will be a $200 million-plus proposition.
$300 million
James Wooden, OF, Washington Nationals: He has unusual energy, a implausible eye, surprising pace and, better of all, youth. Wooden can have simply turned 28 when he reaches free company after the 2030 season, and by then, he might have 200 house runs. Suggesting a participant is price $300 million-plus with lower than a full season of expertise is one thing of a stretch, but when there’s anybody price stretching for, it is a 6-foot-7 outfielder whose house run stroke runs foul pole to foul pole.
Wyatt Langford, OF, Texas Rangers: Langford barely scratched the floor of his talents final yr and nonetheless wound up producing almost 4 WAR as a rookie. He has been among the many few vivid spots for the Rangers’ offense this yr, with pace complementing his big uncooked energy and a disciplined method on the plate. Better of all: He’ll be barely 28 when he heads to free company after the 2029 season.
Jackson Chourio, OF, Milwaukee Brewers: There’s loads of time for Chourio to determine the right way to take a stroll between now and the 2033 season, which is how lengthy the Brewers management him after he signed an eight-year, $82 million deal final season with a pair of membership choices. Chourio starred as a 20-year-old rookie and would hit free company at 30, and regardless that he’ll be older than Wooden or Langford, he is succesful sufficient to be worthy of standing alongside them within the $300 million membership.
$400 million
Tarik Skubal, SP, Detroit Tigers: Now that is the place it begins to get actually enjoyable. The biggest contract ever given to a pitcher was Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 12-year, $325 million deal within the 2024-25 offseason. But when Skubal stays wholesome for the subsequent two years and continues his Cy Younger-caliber efficiency, it isn’t out of the realm that he’ll search a 10-year deal (he’ll be 30) for $40 million-plus a season. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander have gotten $43.3 million common annual values on a multiyear deal. And Gerrit Cole bought 9 years at $324 million. The muse for the primary $400 million pitcher is there.
Paul Skenes, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates: If it isn’t Skubal (or Pérez), it is sure to be Skenes. The 22-year-old helped his clock by successful Rookie of the Yr and the total yr of service that comes with it. He’ll be simply 27 when he is in the marketplace after the 2029 season. And if Skubal (or Pérez) does certainly crack the $400 million threshold, it might be no shock to see Skenes — one of the best pitching prospect in a era — parlay his productiveness, age and marketability into changing into baseball’s first half-billion-dollar pitcher.
$500 million
Kyle Tucker, OF, Chicago Cubs: This one was powerful. No person doubts Tucker’s expertise as a participant. The mixture of different components — a possible lockout after the 2026 season altering the sport’s funds, the presence of big-revenue groups that would select to keep away from a deal the magnitude of which Tucker will rightly search — merely makes it a problem to foretell if he’ll land right here or the earlier tier. On Tucker’s facet are the comparables. He’s a greater participant than Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whom the Blue Jays gave $500 million. He’ll play all of subsequent yr at 29. He is certainly one of baseball’s greatest power-speed combos. Every thing is there for Tucker to exceed $400 million. Surging previous $500 million might be powerful, however then nobody anticipated Soto getting $765 million, both.
Elly De La Cruz, SS, Cincinnati Reds: A number of executives named the Reds star as a possible successor to Soto, however the math is prone to stop that from occurring. With lower than two years of service time, De La Cruz will not be a free agent till the Class of 2029-30, at which level he’ll be 28. Even when he receives a 13-year deal, De La Cruz would want a mean wage of almost $59 million a yr to exceed Soto’s contract. Is it potential? Properly, positive. De La Cruz is that proficient. However he hasn’t produced at an exceptionally excessive stage, hitting .252/.328/.444 for his profession. De La Cruz is electrical, no query, however he should provide a number of MVP-caliber seasons to be within the dialog, and he hasn’t produced even one but.
$600 million
Gunnar Henderson, SS, Baltimore Orioles: Henderson was the one participant talked about by each govt as one of the best wager to beat Soto. And even then, executives stated, it is a lengthy shot. Henderson debuted at 21 and can attain free company after the 2028 season at 27. He performs a much more vital place than Soto’s proper subject, and even when Henderson does finally transfer to 3rd base, the positional benefit nonetheless might be true. In his two full seasons, Henderson has already put up greater than 15 WAR, together with a nine-win displaying final yr that was higher than any yr Soto ever posted. Even then, Henderson wants extra years of constant high quality earlier than he may be $600 million, not to mention $765 million.
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