Soto gets record $31 million, 1 year deal with Yankees. Guerrero asks for $19.9M from Blue Jays

NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto and the New York Yankees agreed Thursday to a $31 million, one year contract that broke Shohei Ohtani’s record for an arbitration eligible player. Toronto slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. filed for $19.9 million, the high among 23 players who exchanged figures with their teams among 194 eligible for arbitration at the start of the day.

Among others who agreed to deals were New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso ($20.5 million), Milwaukee right hander Corbin Burnes ($15,637,500), Atlanta left hander Max Fried ($15 million), Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres ($14.2 million), Cleveland right hander Shane Bieber ($13,125,000), Milwaukee shortstop Willy Adames ($12.25 million), Houston left hander Framber Valdez ($12.1 million), Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker ($12 million), Baltimore outfielder Anthony Santander ($11.7 million), Arizona first baseman Christian Walker ($10.9 million) and Diamondbacks right hander Zac Gallen ($10,011,000).

Soto had a $23 million salary last year in his only full season with San Diego and can become a free agent after this season, when he will be 26. Soto hit .275 with 35 homers, 109 RBIs and a .930 OPS last year with the Padres, who , after he turned down a $440 million, 15 year offer from the Nationals.

Soto was . Ohtani played last season under a a deal agreed to in October 2022. He became a free agent after last year’s World Series and signed a . Toronto offered Guerrero a raise from $14.5 million to $18.05 million. The three time All Star hit .264 with 26 homers and 94 RBIs, and is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season.

Two time batting champion Luis Arraez asked Miami for a raise to $12 million from $6.1 million, and the Marlins offered the second baseman $10.6 million. Eligible players without agreements will be scheduled for hearings before three person panels from Jan. 29 through Feb. 16 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Teams have won the majority of decisions for four straight years, . They lead players 347 257 since arbitration started in 1974. ___ AP MLB:.