Reggie Jackson, this week’s guest on “The Show” and one of MLB’s big early free agents, told The Post he would have taken the Nationals’ $440 million offer to Juan Soto.
“I would have signed that so fast it would have made your head spin,” Jackson said.
While Jackson said, “it’ll be interesting to see what type of year he has with all the marbles out there,” Mr. October suspects Soto will be unfazed. “When you’re a great player, you’re always on display.” Jackson compared Soto to greats Aaron Judge, Manny Ramirez, Frank Robinson, Willie Stargell and George Brett, saying he’s someone who “commands the batters box.”
One AL executive predicted Soto would get $500 million. And one rival agent agreed that’s the number.
Soto is already bonding with Yankees fans. But there’s still rumblings about the Mets.
One thing that went unnoticed in Jordan Montgomery’s $25 million contract is that because it was completed after the season started, the Diamondbacks can’t give him the qualifying offer.
Monty could have gotten a longer deal from the Red Sox, but didn’t want to go there and was hoping Texas would give him the long deal until ownership decided against it late, likely related to the loss of their TV deal.
JD Martinez could be up in a week after getting a shot for his back.
The injury-depleted White Sox are taking a fresh look at Tommy Pham, who has been hitting live pitching.
Johnny Cueto is still working out. “He’s got gas left in the tank,” agent Bryce Dixon said.
Mike Trout (1.195 OPS is a career high) remains amazing.
Shohei Ohtani’s only crime appears to be poor taste in friends and an utter lack of knowledge regarding finances as authorities agree that former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was the sports bettor who diverted millions — $16 million at last count — from Ohtani’s account to pay his own gambling debts.
MLB plans to interview Ohtani as soon as the U.S. Attorney’s Office wrap things up and also hopes to speak to Mizuhara, though Mizuhara has no obligation to talk to MLB. Hopefully for his chat, Ohtani will bring a better interpreter.