RUMOR $660 Million for Juan Soto's first offer? Free Agency’s Spiral Toward Trouble

"Billionaires vs. Small Markets The Real Winners and Losers in Free Agency"

"Can Someone Please Wake Up Baseball Commissioner Rob Tennis Manfred"

My memo- Let me start by saying this: I like Steve Cohen, and I like baseball better.

The reported $660 million offer to Juan Soto from the New York Mets has sent shockwaves through Major League Baseball. If true, this offer would not only be the largest contract in the sport's history but also a glaring indicator of the imbalance threatening the game. While Soto’s talent and marketability are undeniable, the skyrocketing contracts raise a pressing question: has baseball lost control of its financial structure?

For some, the solution is clear: limit free agency. If players aren’t satisfied, they can find another occupation.

The Billionaire Problem

Baseball’s trajectory underscores an uncomfortable truth: in today’s MLB, the most affluent owners can buy whatever they want. Steve Cohen, owner of the Mets and one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, has made it clear that money is no object when it comes to building a championship team. His willingness to throw around unprecedented sums—like this $660 million rumored offer to Soto—illustrates how some owners have turned the free agency into an unchecked bidding war.

This dynamic creates a massive disparity. Owners in smaller markets—who don’t have billionaire bank accounts—simply cannot compete at the same level. Teams like the Oakland A's, Kansas City Royals, or Pittsburgh Pirates are left to rely on player development and bargain deals, only to watch their stars leave when free agency calls. The question becomes: How can these teams survive in an era dominated by unlimited spending?

The Ceiling: A Solution or a Stalemate?

For this scout and baseball purists, the answer is simple: introduce a ceiling on free-agent contracts.

This approach, while controversial, could restore balance to the game. It would ensure that small-market teams remain competitive and that no single franchise can monopolize talent simply by outspending everyone else. If players balk at the idea, so be it. They’re free to explore other professions—baseball, after all, is a privilege, not a right.

Critics of this approach will argue that players deserve every dollar they can negotiate in a free market, especially in a sport that generates billions in revenue. But without limits, MLB risks alienating fans in cities where perennial losing becomes inevitable due to financial constraints. Baseball is supposed to be a game of skill and strategy, not a playground for billionaires.

Rob Manfred and Baseball’s Gambling Bets

Compounding these issues is MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's leadership—or lack thereof. Under his watch, baseball has leaned heavily into gambling partnerships, a controversial move that blurs ethical lines. While these deals bring in revenue, they also shift focus away from the heart of the game.

Manfred’s approach to baseball’s financial future seems reactive at best. As owners like Cohen push spending into uncharted territory, Manfred has shown little initiative in addressing the structural problems this creates. If left unchecked, these issues will exacerbate an already widening gap between large- and small-market teams.

The Players: How Much Is Too Much?

For Juan Soto, a rumored $660 million deal places him in a category that few athletes in history have occupied. The sheer magnitude of such a contract raises inevitable comparisons: if Soto is worth $660 million, what will Shohei Ohtani’s next deal look like? What about Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, who will be eligible to sign in a few years? If contracts like these become the norm, baseball risks alienating fans who see the sport as a game of increasing excess.

The precedent also impacts players like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and others who signed massive deals in recent years. Those contracts—once considered astronomical—now seem almost pedestrian. The financial inflation of MLB deals is racing ahead with no clear end in sight.

A Game at a Crossroads

Baseball is at a critical juncture. The league’s embrace of free-market principles has created a system where a few franchises dominate while others are left to scrape by. The current rumor of a $660 million offer to Juan Soto isn’t just about one player; it’s about the future of the sport.

If free agency continues unchecked, the consequences could be severe:

Competitive imbalance: Small-market teams will struggle to retain talent or attract free agents, creating perennial winners and losers.

Fan alienation: As salaries soar, ticket prices and fan costs are likely to rise, further distancing the average person from the game.

Cultural shift: Baseball risks losing its identity as a game of tradition and strategy, replaced by a narrative dominated by money and power.

My Bottom Line: Fixing Baseball Before It’s Too Late

The $660 million offer to Juan Soto may be a watershed moment for Major League Baseball. It highlights the urgent need for reform—whether through a ceiling on contracts, revenue sharing, or stricter payroll limits.

If nothing changes, baseball risks descending into chaos, with a few billionaires holding the reins while fans in smaller markets watch their teams crumble. As much as Juan Soto deserves to capitalize on his incredible talent, MLB must ensure that his deal—and those that follow—don’t come at the expense of the sport’s integrity.

Baseball needs balance. Without it, the game we love may face problems even a $660 million superstar can’t fix.