(San Diego) Outfielder Juan Soto agreed to a one-year, $23 million contract with the San Diego Padres on Friday.
For Soto, this is a substantial increase from the 17.1 million salary he received last season.
The 24-year-old Soto posted a .242 GAA with 27 home runs, 62 RBIs and 135 walks, a major league high this past season.
With the Padres, he batted .236 with six home runs and 16 RBIs in 52 games.
Soto started the 2022 season with the Washington Nationals before being traded to the Padres on August 2.
The Padres made the playoffs and defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sectional playoffs. They then lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series.
Twice named to the All-Star Teams, Soto won the home run contest featured as part of the All-Star Game in 2022. In 2020, he won the National League Batting Championship.
Soto will be eligible for salary arbitration at the end of next season and can claim free agency after the 2024 World Series.