Padres News: MLB Insider Believes Juan Soto Could Sign Extension Before Hitting Free Agency

Jim Bowden believes Soto is in a unique situation that will get him paid sooner than most think.

There is nobody that has been watching the San Diego Padres' offseason unfold with a bigger smile on their face than Juan Soto.

Many have been looking at all of the money that the Friars front office has guaranteed to their roster over the past few years and thought to themselves: How on Earth are they going to be able to pay the guy that they traded most of their best prospects for last season? However, there is a certain pattern going on here that everybody should be paying attention.

Soto is easily one of the best sluggers and outfielders in the league and despite some initial struggles during his early time with the Padres, he should 100% be a part of their future plans. He is a massive stamp on a batting lineup that includes some of the best hitters in the entire league. This is not the NBA where one ball must be shared every play amongst all the stars. Along with Soto, Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts will all get their equal opportunities to shine on both sides of the field.

Even the best pitchers around the MLB will have to wake up a little earlier to prepare whenever they face San Diego and their front office hasn't been scared to break the bank for this. MLB Network's Jim Bowden pinpointed this reason as to why he believes Soto will be next in line to get paid before the season concludes.

"The way Peter Seidler is guaranteeing money with years and dollars and taking everybody into their 40's," said Bowden. "If you're Scott [Boras], you have to sit there and go, 'Hmm, even if I take him to free agency, does it really beat maybe what I could get here from the Padres?"

Scott Boras is Soto's agent and represents him under the Boras Corporation. He has made it clear that he wants his star to get the money he deserves, even if that means that it extends to 16 years and $500 million.

Bowden advised Boras to consider the spending mood that Seidler is currently in and take advantage of it.

"He may be the one owner, and the only owner, that would give Scott Boras that record-breaking deal," said Bowden.

It really is championship or bust for the Friars this season with the group they have assembled. If Soto performs like he has done so in the past, that massive contract will be his.