The Yankees knew they only had one guaranteed season Juan Soto when they traded for him this offseason, and it has paid off for both parties in many ways.
New York returned to the World Series for the first time in fifteen years and Soto had his best season offensively. He’s captivated by the city and the team, but at just 26 years old, the outfielder is about to lead one of the biggest free agents in MLB history.
After the Yankees’ Game 5 loss to the Dodgers in the 2024 World Series, Soto was asked if Wednesday was his last game in pinstripes.
‘You don’t know. At the end of the day we will see where we stand,” he said. “It’s a tough match to be my last. I’m happy with what we’ve achieved as a team and we wanted to be one of the last teams standing, but we’ll see where we stand [in free agency].”
Soto went 1-for-2 with three walks in the decisive Game 5, capping a stellar postseason in his first year in The Bronx. In 14 games in October, Soto hit .327 with four home runs and nine RBI.
He had some memorable moments – especially his series win in the ALCS – with the Yankees, but unsurprisingly he hasn’t shown where he wants to sign this season.
Soto said he was happy in his time in town and with the 2024 Yankees, but he and his agent Scott Boras are going to “look at every situation and offer we get.”
What the bid looks like could be upwards of $600 million, but that depends on the teams bidding for his services. And when it comes to teams, Soto is open to everyone.
“I haven’t closed any doors,” Soto said. “I will be available for all 30 teams.”
He later added: “Every team has the same opportunity when I go to free agency. I won’t say any team has an advantage.”
But will it be hard to leave this Yankees team after reaching the World Series?
“It’s always hard to leave a place where there’s a winning team,” Soto replied. “This team was really special, it was great for me. I have been very happy. Whether I’m there or not, I’ll be happy for the teammates I’ve met. This is truly a special group.
“They just wished me the best of luck and made sure I did the best for me and my family. These guys were special and I’m very happy to play with them”
That includes Aaron Judge who formed one of the best duos in baseball history with Soto. Batting for Judge, Soto was able to slash .288/.419/.988 with a career-high 41 home runs.
“I’m happy with what we did this year as a duo and teammates. It’s unbelievable,” Soto said of Judge. “On the field, in the clubhouse, how he manages himself. I was very happy and learned a lot from him. I will take that with me to my next step.”
“He brought us a lot of joy. I think we brought him a lot of joy too,” Judge said of his teammate. “We were lucky to have him this year.”
“Just an absolute privilege. A great player…he was such a good person with us,” manager Aaron Boone said about Soto. “He was just so easy to manage. Someone I have a lot of admiration and respect for. I hope he’s here forever, but I’m excited for him and what the next few months will be for him. From my point of view, I couldn’t ask for better.”
While Soto said he will speak to all 30 teams, he does have one criteria for his next stop and that’s something the baseball world saw when Shohei Ohtani became a free agent last year.
“Everyone wants to be part of a winning team. That’s one of the most important things you look at,” Soto said. “Even if you don’t make it as the last team, you want to be involved in all of this, that’s one of the biggest things I’m looking for.”
The start of MLB free agency begins five days after the World Series concludes. So the Juan Soto Sweepstakes officially starts early next week.
