In comparison to the NFL, NBA and NHL, where salary caps level the playing field for teams in a way that masks each team's underlying revenue picture, Major Lea

Soto will likely command the longest contract in MLB history due to his age and talent. Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres currently holds that record for contract length with his 14-year, $340 million contract. Soto's deal could break the record for contract length, and is expected to exceed $600 million in guaranteed money.

At their year-end press conference in late September, members of Red Sox leadership said the wait had gone on long enough, and the time to get back in the game was now. It was a more pronounced statement of intent than in recent offseasons,