Outfielder Juan Soto did everything the New York Yankees hoped during his first year in pinstripes. They want to keep him in the Bronx for the next decade-plus, but there’s quite a bit of competition for his services in free agency. Can general manager Brian Cashman get something done with the 26-year-old?
Soto was a key reason behind the Bombers reaching the World Series for the first time since 2009. The 2024 campaign included his fourth All-Star selection, fifth Silver Slugger Award, and being named one of three American League MVP Award finalists. He did this off the strength of a .288/.419/.569 line, 41 home runs, 31 doubles, 109 RBI and a league-leading 128 runs scored in 713 plate appearances.
As one can imagine, the left-handed slugger is getting courted by several big-market teams. The New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are just a handful of organizations that have been linked to Soto recently.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees in action against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game Five of the 2024 World Series at… NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees in action against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game Five of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in New York City. The Dodgers defeated the Yankees 7-6.
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Does spending one year in the Bronx and reaching the Fall Classic with Aaron Judge and Co. give the Yankees an upper hand during their pursuit? Just Baseball’s Caleb Moody provided a detailed breakdown of Soto’s potential suitors and what his contract could look like, as well as a prediction on where he’ll eventually sign.
He thinks the slugger will sign a 14-year, $630 million deal to remain with the Yankees.
“And it may sound unoriginal, but the Yankees seem to have everything that Soto will want for the next decade-and-a-half,” he said. “They worked so well as an offense with him, taking home 2024 Team Silver Slugger honors, and the duo of him and Judge back-to-back in that lineup proved beneficial to both their numbers. As a left-handed hitter, being able to hit to that short porch in right field might only stand to build and exceed the career high in homers he belted this season.”
Contract predictions for Soto have been a bit all over the place in recent weeks. However, one constant has been that the outfielder’s overall compensation will surpass $600 million and possibly approach $700 million.
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