We’re not talking about pocket change anymore. We’re talking about contracts that could fund a small nation. The name on everyone’s lips – and the most eye-popping contract in MLB history – is Juan Soto. But in the Charm City, a different name is starting to echo, a whisper that’s growing louder: Gunnar Henderson. Could a young Oriole really be on a collision course with Soto’s financial stratosphere?
The comparison isn’t pulled from thin air. It has its roots in cold, hard numbers, and in a shared pedigree that has baseball insiders drooling. At 23, Gunnar Henderson didn’t merely knock on the door of superstardom — he kicked it in. He slashed .281/. 364/. 529 with 37 homers, 92 RBIs, and an insane 9.1 WAR. Now, look back to Juan Soto’s age-23 season in 2022: a fine. 242/. 401/. 452, 27 home runs, and fewer RBIs. Henderson at the same age ranked higher in several important offensive categories than Soto. The cherry on top? The same super-agent, Scott Boras, the master negotiator who orchestrated Soto’s landmark deal.
This was a calculated prediction, delivered on Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney. The source was candid about it: “I think Gunnar Henderson is the next player who’s most likely to enter one Soto neighborhood when it comes to a contract. Maybe he won’t get $7.65, but I think when he becomes a free agent, there’s a chance he’s gonna be in that 700, 7 hundred 50 million dollar range because of the athleticism, because of what you saw last year.” There it is, in black and white. Not a suggestion, a prediction, putting Henderson firmly in the conversation with the most lucrative contract in baseball history.
This isn’t just buzz. Henderson’s performance backs up the lofty projections. His 2024 was not simply good; it was historic. His 9.1 WAR not only paced the Orioles; it ranked him among the league’s best. He also won a Silver Slugger. He earned an All-Star nod, showing he is among the best in baseball.
Big money, big questions: Henderson’s contract outlook
While Soto’s deal is the Everest of baseball contracts, it’s not a solitary peak. The landscape is shifting. We’ve already seen Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million, Mike Trout’s $426.5 million, Mookie Betts’ $365 million. These aren’t anomalies. These are the heralds of something new. It’s a seller’s market, and players like Henderson, who are represented by agents like Boras, are in a prime position to profit.
Historically, shortstops who hit like sluggers and field like Gold Glovers have gotten premium dollars. Consider Francisco Lindor ($341 million), Corey Seager ($325 million) and Fernando Tatis Jr. ($340 million). Henderson will be judged against such benchmarks. And while it may be a little soon to anoint him as a “great” in the way of established superstars, his early trajectory is irresistible.
But here’s the reality check: the path to a $700+ million contract isn’t paved with gold. And perhaps the most significant one hanging over MLB is the next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The current CBA will expire in 2026. Any major changes to the CBA could either fuel or stifle the trend of mega-contracts, directly impacting Henderson’s earning potential. It’s an X factor that cannot be ignored.
While Henderson rightfully dominates the headlines, he’s not the only jewel in the Orioles’ crown. Names like Samuel Basallo, a catcher with a powerful bat, and Coby Mayo, a third baseman with impressive raw power, are generating buzz. And while it’s far too soon to talk about them as potential Soto-level contract types — they haven’t even consistently sniffed the majors. However, their development represents a growing trend down there: The Orioles are constructing a young, competitive core.
And the road to $765 million is long and winding, filled with ‘ifs’ and ‘buts.’ But one thing is certain: Gunnar Henderson has put himself on the map, and the baseball world – and its checkbooks – are watching. What do you think?
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