NEW YORK — After suffering one of the most devastating World Series losses in recent memory, the now have to worry about whether or not their best all-around player will leave during the offseason.
Given his incredible 2024 season, Juan Soto is technically a free agent, and a number of suitors will be willing to offer him what could be a record salary.
Soto stated, “I’m really happy with the city, with the team, but at the end of the day we will see,” following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Game 5 defeat on Wednesday. “Every circumstance and offer we receive will be examined. I’m not sure which teams are interested in me, but I’ll be willing to hear from them all. We will be open to all 30 teams because I don’t have any doors closed or anything.”
Naturally, the Yankees will be among the teams interested, but Soto will almost definitely take his time and consider all of the options, even though he claims to adore New York. By many measures, the 26-year-old outfielder is a generational talent who is renowned for choosing his playing location carefully. He declined a 15-year, $440 million contract back in the middle of 2022 in order to stay with the Washington Nationals. He was eventually traded to the San Diego Padres, who used him for one season before sending him to the Yankees in the previous summer. In arbitration, he was then given a record $31 million one-year contract.
Soto will undoubtedly be the offseason’s biggest prize. So, Yankees supporters, get ready for a process that is probably going to be stressful. In 2024, Juan Soto was worth every penny to the Yankees. Under the most intense scrutiny possible, Soto lived up to the buzz in New York and beyond. Soto was a standout player during the regular season and the Bombers’ postseason run, despite the Yankees losing the World Series.
The slugging right-fielder hit .288 with a career-high 41 home runs and 109 RBIs in 157 games during the regular season. He also posted a stellar .419 on-base percentage, second only in MLB to teammate Aaron Judge’s remarkable .458.
Along with his.327 average, four home runs, and nine RBIs in 14 games, Soto also got on base to the tune of a.469 OBP throughout the playoffs.
Expect Soto to receive a lot of praise from voters, even though Judge is predicted to win his second AL MVP Award. Aaron Boone, the manager of the Yankees, was quite clear about his goals for the future before Game 5. Boone remarked, “I hope he’s here forever,” in reference to Soto. “I’m also aware that I’m looking forward to what the upcoming months hold for him. However, in my opinion, I couldn’t have asked for more.”