Major League Baseball is only beginning to feel the long-term effects of Juan Soto’s monumental contract.
When Soto signed a 16-year, $776 million deal with the Team on Sunday, he became the highest-paid athlete in professional team sports based on total value. This presents a challenge for the Atlanta Braves, who will now face Soto 13 times each season.
The Soto contract signals a shift away from a luxury tax-driven system, highlighting that player value is now determined by what ownership is willing to spend to secure a player. This change could impact the Braves in 2025, particularly regarding their free-agent situation.
Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, who is set to become a free agent after this season, could be in line for a major payday following a stellar year where he led the Braves in nearly every offensive category. FanSided’s Zachary Rotman recently predicted that the Braves might not keep pace in the competition for Ozuna’s services, leading him to potentially leave Atlanta for another MLB team.
Rotman noted that while the Braves exercised Ozuna’s $16 million option for 2025 based on his performance, there’s a good chance this will be his last season in a Braves uniform. At 34 years old and a designated hitter, Ozuna’s market value could rise significantly if he delivers another strong season, making it unlikely the Braves will match his worth in free agency.
Ozuna’s initial four-year, $65 million contract was extended to $81 million with the 2025 option. With 79 home runs since the start of the 2023 season, the fourth-most in baseball, Ozuna could command a similar contract on a shorter deal if he continues his strong performance in 2024. This puts pressure on the Braves, who may struggle to retain him, assuming they even wish to.
