The Post predicts who will receive next offseason’s 10 biggest contracts.
1. Juan Soto, Yankees
He has reportedly already turned down a $440 million contract extension from the Nationals. The generation-defining left-handed slugger is just 26 years old and could hit the open market for more than $500 million.
2. Corbin Burnes, Orioles
As reliable as any ace the past few seasons, the former Brewers star has a 2.86 ERA in 105 games since 2020. The right-hander turns 30 in October and, like many of his contemporaries, is still hitting his stride.
3. Max Fried, Braves
The left-hander is a year older than Burns and is coming off an injury-riddled season that included forearm tightness, blisters and hamstring tightness, but no elbow or shoulder issues. Otherwise, Fried has been typically reliable and typically dominant, holding a 2.66 ERA in 83 games since 2020.
4. Alex Bregman, Astros
The Yankees and Mets could have an opening at third base, which would be an attractive dynamic given the sign-stealing Astros have Bregman. This is Bregman’s 30-year-old season, and while he hasn’t matched his dominant form in 2018 and 2019, he has had solid performances the past two years and earned MVP votes.
5. Pete Alonso (Mets)
Since entering the league, the Mets have made no secret of the fact that he is the face of the franchise and the most prodigious slugger in baseball. Alonso, who turns 30 in December, could be hurt by the deep market at his position and overall concerns about aging first basemen.
6. Cody Bellinger (Cubs)
The first baseman and center fielder is speculated to be opting out of his contract after not finding the long-term offer he was looking for this offseason. If Bellinger can repeat his impressive 2023 performance (.881 OPS), he’ll be much happier next offseason.
7. Willie Adams, Brewers
The market for a shortstop should be pretty thin, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Glove, with his solid arm, gets a nine-figure contract. Adames, who turns 29 next offseason, is an outstanding defender and is 10 percent better than average hitter (.767 OPS) since 2020.
8. Blake Snell (Giants)
The left-hander’s performance this season will determine whether he finds a better offer than the one he accepted from the Giants (two years, $62 million with an opt-out). We expect the two-time Cy Young Award winner to opt out and hit the market again as a 32-year-old.
9. Shane Bieber, Guardians
A big season like 2020 (winning the AL Cy Young Award) or 2022 (7th place finish) would propel the right-hander onto this list. The 28-year-old is coming off a down year in which he posted a 3.80 ERA and was limited to 21 starts due to inflammation in his elbow.
10. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals
A model of consistency and one of the best hitters of his generation, Goldschmidt has appeared in at least 150 full seasons since 2013, earning MVP votes and/or All-Star selection in each year. There is. Except for last season (.810 OPS) when his offense took a step back. The first baseman is 36 years old and just recently won MVP in 2022.
