Acquiring perennial All-Star outfielder Juan Soto was one of the greatest moves made by the New York Yankees during the MLB offseason. Making him one of the highest-paid MLB players, however, doesn’t seem to be enough if the organization wants to keep him into the 2024 season.
Entering his 25th season, Soto has stated that he does not anticipate signing a contract extension in the near future. The three-time All-Star selection, who is represented by agent Scott Boras, plans to explore MLB free agency in the upcoming winter.
Before acquiring Soto, New York was aware that he was unlikely to agree to a long-term agreement anytime soon. Rather, the team desired to have first dibs on luring Soto a season before he formally goes unsigned. Furthermore, the club is well aware of the cost of re-signing him.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner acknowledged to reporters during spring training that the team would probably have to pay Soto more than it already pays All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge. He hasn’t given it much thought, but he is aware that the market will probably determine the price.
To put things in perspective, Judge inked a $360 million, nine-year contract with the Yankees in December 2022. Only Soto and Los Angeles Dodgers two-way standout Shohei Ohtani earn more than $40 million a year in salary as hitters.
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32 doubles, 35 home runs, 109 RBI, and a.930 OPS are among Juan Soto’s stats.
The Yankees already had to shell out a lot of money to get Soto; in return, the San Diego Padres received Michael King, Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez, and Drew Thorpe. It might end up costing much more in the long run if New York loses him to another team in the offseason and is unable to re-sign him.
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