MLB rumors: Montgomery uninterested in reunion, New info on Bellinger contract, Juan Soto FA prediction

Juan Soto free agency prediction

The New York Yankees came into the offseason with some glaring holes in their roster, most notably the presence of left-handed power, an issue that has plagued them the last several seasons. Filler like Joey Gallo largely disappointed the last few years.

At the Winter Meetings, New York was quick to address this when they acquired Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres in a trade. But while New York tackled an important need, there is one issue they are facing. Soto is merely a rental for the time being, as he will be a free agent at the end of the 2024 season.

However, Jim Bowden of The Athletic isn’t concerned about Soto leaving the Yankees anytime soon. In his latest Q&A (subscription required), Bowden was asked about where he thought Soto would be come Opening Day 2025.

Bowden’s answer was short and to the point, and he predicted that Soto will not only stay in New York, but that he’ll love it there and that the love will be mutual. Notably, Soto acknowledged the large presence of Dominican fans in the Bronx and New York in a recent Q&A, and said he felt every home game will feel like a World Baseball Classic game (subscription required). That’s high praise before even seeing the fans cheer his name.

Soto is likely to command a hefty contract. Back in 2022, he turned down a 15-year, $400 million contract offer from the Washington Nationals.

But the Yankees should be able to afford Soto’s services and re-sign the young slugger. It’s also possible that a contract extension could take place during the season, but Soto may want to test the free agent market.

New info on Cody Bellinger contract

The Cody Bellinger contract is official.

The veteran slugger returned to the Chicago Cubs after signing a three-year, $80 million deal with the North Siders on Sunday morning. The deal became official on Tuesday.

Bellinger returns to a team that finished just one game short of a playoff spot last season and has big goals for 2024.

On Twitter, Bob Nightengale of USA Today provided some new information on Bellinger’s contract.

This year, he will make $27.5 million but could make up to $30 million if he chooses to opt out. He’ll make $27.5 million in 2025 if he doesn’t opt out after 2024 but could be guaranteed $32.5 million if he opts out after year two.

Should Bellinger not exercise any of his opt-out clauses, he’ll make $25 million in 2026, which will take the deal to $80 million.

Originally, the deal was reported as $30 million in years one and two, and $20 in year three.

Everything will depend on how Bellinger performs in 2024. If the reigning National League Comeback Player of the Year repeats his 2023 performance, then it is very likely that he will opt out and hit the free agent market again at the end of the season.

We’ll see if Bellinger can build off of 2023.

Jordan Montgomery uninterested in STL reunion

Fans of the St. Louis Cardinals who were hoping for a reunion with left-hander Jordan Montgomery received some bad news on Tuesday.

In Jim Bowden’s latest Q&A in The Athletic, a Cardinals fan asked him about the chances of a reunion with Montgomery on a similar pillow deal to what Bellinger received, citing that pitching in a pitcher-friendly ballpark like Busch Stadium could help him build his stock.

However, Bowden responded by saying that not only will Montgomery not accept a pillow contract like Bellinger did, but that he also is not interested in a return to St. Louis. Similarly, it sounds like a New York reunion is highly unlikely as well.

St. Louis already signed Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson to bolster the rotation, but Gibson and Lynn do little more than bridge a gap for top pitching prospect Tink Hence and other arms. And in order for St. Louis to be able to drop the hammer on the weak NL Central and become World Series contenders again, they are going to need a second frontline starter.

Instead, they have chosen to remain conservative with their money and not sign any other big-name starting pitchers. Montgomery would be a good fit in St. Louis, and he would give the Cardinals a much better chance to compete with some of the best teams in the National League.

However, as currently constructed, it is unlikely that the Cardinals will be able to hold a candle to teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves.

The Cardinals have not won a World Series title since 2011, much less reached the World Series since 2013. Even a potential match with Blake Snell is highly unlikely.

Bowden noted that the Boston Red Sox had a recent call with Montgomery and that they are the likely favorite to sign him.

This article was originally published on fansided.com as MLB rumors: Montgomery uninterested in reunion, New info on Bellinger contract, Juan Soto FA prediction.