Top free agent hitter Juan Sotos new magic number is thought to be $700M (or more) and thats a solid $700M, not the record $700M contract thats 97 percent deferred that Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani received from the Dodgers. Word is that within two hours of the Yankees losing the World Series to Ohtanis Dodgers in their Game 5 debacle, eight rival teams checked in with interest, and by Thursday morning, the number was up to 11. And while teams are disallowed from talking dollars for days, $700M is the number floating around even before his free agency can begin. Soto was said to enjoy his year with the Yankees (even if ), and the Yankees see him as a great guy, not just an all-time great player. But even they a sume the contract/money will be the first priority (along with winning) when he decides where to play the next 13-plus years. (The Yankees seem resigned to go 13, but with him aiming to play into his 40s, 14 might actually be the minimum hes looking for. If he gets $700M for 14 years, he would become baseballs first non-deferred $50M a year player.) Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees celebrates with Giancarlo Stanton #27. Jason Szenes / New York Post The Yankees recent history suggests they arent market setters, as they re-signed the great, homegrown Aaron Judge but only by matching the Giants initial $360M offer, and only after club owner Hal Steinbrenner broke a split decision below him. So theres some skepticism within Sotos camp as to whether the Yankees DeAndre Jordan Jersey will ultimately get this done for a player who isnt homegrown. The Yankees are not acting like they are beholden to keeping it to Judges $40M salary. Instead, they are far more interested in keeping baseballs most dynamic lefty-righty slugging duo together. Judges priority is to keep winning, not to hold the franchise salary record, and while Soto stuck to the script and said all 30 teams have equal chances, his presence in the lineup/clubhouse is said to be seen as a plus. More From Jon Heyman While the Yankees are the highest-revenue team in at least their league, the improving, cro stown Mets, with MLBs wealthiest owner, Steve Cohen, , and the well-run Dodgers, whose financial condition improved with the revenue-generating Ohtani deal, have the wherewithal, too. Big-market teams like the Giants, Blue Jays and Red Sox are expected to check in, and word shockingly is two small-market teams already have. Some are selling Soto on being their franchise guy as compared to with the Yankees, where itll be Judges team foreseeably, (Ohtanis team). But theres no belief this matters to Soto. Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees hits a solo home run. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post The Yankees (and Mets) may hold a geographical advantage, and the Dodgers do wonder about that. But word is, Soto was down the road on a potential San Diego deal in 2023 before beloved Padres owner Peter Seidler took ill and pa sed away. See Also world series While the numbers on that po sible Padres deal arent publicly known, the belief is it must have been huge Seidler was determined to win and be ultra generous, and Soto is surely aware of those figures. So anything below that potential deal coming in free agency and after Sotos monster season in New York (41 homers, .989 OPS) could be taken as an insult, according to a Soto confidant. One Soto teammate said he believes Soto . But how can he get more than the impo sibly talented, international superstar Ohtani, whose contract is valued at $437.4M? The reason is age. Soto just turned 26 last Friday. Soto stuck to the script following the disheartening defeat that stamped the Dodgers as world champions, saying no team holds any edge entering this derby. Media tried, but he didnt budge. Were going to be available to every team. I feel like every team has the same opportunity, Soto said after Game 5. I dont want to say anybody has the advantage because, at the end of the day, were going to look at what we have and how much they want me. While Soto didnt signal the Yankees enter this free agent derby with an advantage, friends say he did mostly enjoy his New York time. Hes a happy guy who doesnt complain much, or tip his hand, but hes suggested to folks he did enjoy the clubhouse and clubhouse leader Judge. Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees reacts after making a catch for an out against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Getty Images Im really happy with the city, with the team. But at the end of the day, we will see, he said. Were going to look at every situation, every offer and [make] a decision from there. There are free agent shockers (see Alex Rodriguez and Texas), but one close friend said hed still gue s the Yankees, Mets or Dodgers not an unreasonable gue s since they have bright futures and the most financial might. Willie Cauley-Stein Jersey