When the offseason arrives, the New York Yankees have a top priority: retaining superstar outfielder Juan Soto for the long term so that he can team up with fellow megastar Aaron Judge to win championships.
The Yankees will not be alone in the Soto chase, as the crosstown rival New York Mets are anxious to lure the star out of the Bronx and to Queens. ESPN’s Jeff Passan agrees that the two New York teams are the most likely suitors for the 26-year-old outfielder.
“In Soto’s case, the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and both Los Angeles teams could probably afford him but are long shots to make a serious run. Passan wrote, “Seattle could use him but will be put off by the money.” “At the end of the day, high-ranking front-office and ownership sources believe Soto’s winter will go like this: Yankees vs. Mets.” Behemoth vs behemoth.”
The Yankees cannot afford to lose Soto in free agency
Soto is having the best season of his remarkable career thus far in his debut season with pinstripes. Before the start of September, he had already set a new career record with 37 home runs, and his 1.027 OPS trailed only Judge for the best in MLB. His impact has been huge in a squad that struggled to produce without a second star behind Judge last season.
As a result, the Yankees are in a strong position to end their 15-year title drought, as they begin Tuesday with the second-best record in MLB. They cannot afford to lose Soto, even to their crosstown rival.
The fans adore him and shower him with love every time he comes onto the field, which was highlighted even more when the Yankee Stadium throng chanted “Re-sign Soto!” Sunday afternoon against the Colorado Rockies.
The Yankees have the money to offer Soto an extremely lucrative contract, but they have also indicated unequivocally that they will need to reduce their payroll at some point, so a Soto extension is not guaranteed. The outfielder is expected to sign one of the most lucrative contracts in the sport’s history, with only Shohei Ohtani likely to have a bigger deal by the time Soto signs.
Other player’s contracts expiring may help the Yankees afford to bring back Soto
However, the Yankees have several major contracts that will expire during the winter, allowing them to bring back Soto without incurring long-term financial consequences. Additional imminent free agents, most notably Gleyber Torres and Clay Holmes, may be unable to re-sign, but if it allows them to keep Soto, the sacrifice will be worthwhile.
Free agency is strictly hypothetical until the offseason begins, so rumors about Soto’s whereabouts and future plans will persist for the next few months. By the time winter arrives, the Yankees and Mets might be in a bidding war for a generational talent.
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