A recent MLB report suggests that the Baltimore Orioles might have to offer a historic contract to keep young star Gunnar Henderson beyond the 2028 season. According to top insider Jeff Passan of ESPN, league executives believe Henderson could be the next player to command a deal even larger than Juan Soto’s record-setting $765 million contract with the Mets.
Soto’s deal along with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million agreement with the Blue Jays has dramatically shifted the landscape for future megadeals, especially for elite young talent.
In his latest column, Passan noted that executives overwhelmingly see Henderson as the most likely candidate to eclipse Soto’s deal, though they acknowledge it would still be a long shot. Henderson, who debuted at age 21, will hit free agency at 27 a prime age for a major payday and plays a more premium position than Soto, who is a right fielder.
“Henderson was the one player mentioned by every executive as the best bet to beat Soto,” Passan wrote. “Even then, they said it’s a long shot.”
The Orioles’ All-Star has already produced over 15 WAR in his first two full seasons, including a remarkable nine-WAR campaign last year — more than any single season Soto has posted. However, insiders say Henderson would need several more seasons at that level to justify a $600+ million contract, much less one surpassing $765 million.
At just 23 years old, Henderson has already earned his first All-Star nod in 2024 and is considered far from his peak. If he continues to develop into an MVP-caliber player, he could become baseball’s next record-breaking free agent. The looming question: will the Orioles be willing to pay the price to keep him?
Would you like a breakdown of how Henderson compares statistically to Soto and other top-paid stars?
