Slugging outfielder Juan Soto's tenure with the New York Yankees is off to a lucrative start, breaking Shohei Ohtani's salary record for an arbitration-eligible player, The Associated Press reported Thursday.

Soto's new contract is said to be worth $31 million for 2024, a figure that would surpass Ohtani's $30 million deal for 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels.

A free agent this offseason, Ohtani has since signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Soto will be a free agent after this season at the age of 26.

Last year with the San Diego Padres, Soto hit .275 with 35 home runs and 109 RBIs and was paid $23 million. He was traded to the Yankees in December.

Shohei Ohtani (R) of the Los Angeles Angels congratulates Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals for his first-round win over Ohtani during the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby on July 12, 2021, at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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