Juan Soto Signs Largest 2023 Deal

The San Diego Padres have superstar Juan Soto under team control for two more seasons. But that doesn't mean they'll be inexpensive seasons. Today, 'Arbitration-Avoidance Day' in the major leagues, saw the Padres and Soto agree to a $23M deal for the 2023 season, the largest in the league this year in order to avoid the arbitration process. 

Juan Soto and the Padres have agreed to a one-year, $23M deal to avoid arbitration, per @JeffPassan pic.twitter.com/oc6aoCC88r

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) January 13, 2023

It's a $6M dollar raise from the $17M Soto earned last year, split between the Washington Nationals and the Friars. 

Soto had an off-year—for him—batting .242 with an .853 OPS, both down considerably from his first four seasons in the majors. But he still posted an on-base of .401 and slugged 27 homers with a major league-leading 135 walks. He made his second All-Star team and took home his 3rd Silver Slugger award.

He has career marks over five seasons of a .287 average, .424 on-base and .950 OPS, with an incredible OPS+ of 157 (that's 57% better than the average hitter).

The Nationals decided to trade Soto at midseason to the Padres for a huge haul after he turned down what would have been a record-breaking $440M long-term extension offer. 

The Nats, however, get to try again with the Soto family, as they just signed his younger brother.

 Photo: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports