Part 6/7:
Long-term deals in MLB often hinge on the concept of rising player value over time. As contracts and salaries inflate, the comparison of Soto's $51 million AAV might become more favorable. By tracking annual increases in WAR value, it’s plausible to project that by the end of his contract, each WAR could exceed $11 million, enhancing Soto's profitability.
To merely break even under these assumptions, Soto would need to produce around 4.5 WAR each season. While past performance from other players, including Hall of Famers, illustrates the challenge of maintaining such production, it’s certainly within the realm of possibility for Soto, given his talent and youth.