The New York Yankees have taken the first steps in securing Juan Soto‘s future, as the star outfielder nears free agency at the season’s end. However, the impact of this move remains somewhat subdued at present. According to Jon Heyman from the New York Post, Juan Soto has already turned down seven contract offers in his young career so far, which has increased concerns about whether he will stay with the Yankees.
Yankees’ pursuit of Juan Soto: Contract extension talks amid uncertainty
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner recently hinted at discussions for a potential contract extension with Soto during an appearance on the YES Network’s Jack Curry’s podcast, “Yankees News & Views.” Nevertheless, reactions from MLB insider Jon Heyman on his podcast, “The Show,” suggest that an extension during the season is unlikely, mainly due to Soto’s past refusals.
Heyman acknowledged the slim chance of an extension, citing Juan Soto’s history of turning down previous offers, totaling seven so far. With Juan Soto closer to free agency than ever before, the possibility of striking a deal mid-season seems remote. “I’m not going to put the chances at zero, but maybe not even 1%”.
MLB analyst Chris “Mad Dog” Russo echoed similar sentiments on “The Rich Eisen Show,” emphasizing that leaving the Yankees would be unwise for Soto. Russo highlighted the Yankees‘ financial strength, suggesting they could offer up to $450 million. Additionally, he emphasized the team’s consistent playoff contention, a factor that could sway Soto’s decision.
Juan Soto’s future with the Yankees
Juan Soto’s rejection of a $440 million, 15-year extension with the Washington Nationals in 2022, as reported by The Athletic, showcases his preference for exploring free agency. Traded to the San Diego Padres thereafter, Soto’s tenure with the team also ended without a long-term contract agreement. The Yankees, aware of this, acquired him in December with the understanding of a potentially brief tenure.
At 25, Soto continues to excel on the field, boasting impressive stats with the Yankees. Through 50 games, he holds a slash line of .309/.408/.539 with 11 home runs, solidifying his status as one of baseball’s best talents. His 171 wRC+ ranks him seventh in MLB.
Insiders, including Heyman and USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, doubt the likelihood of an in-season extension for Soto. Given his history of rejecting offers and representation by Scott Boras, known for guiding clients to free agency, the prevailing sentiment is that any significant developments may wait until the offseason.
In summary, while the Yankees’ efforts to secure Soto’s future are notable, current circumstances and historical trends suggest substantive progress may have to wait until the offseason.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
The length of the contract will probably be 12. It’s not about the total dollar amount, it’s really all about the AAV. I’m projecting an AAV of $48M at this time. He has shown he is a pretty good RF; infinitely better than he is as a LF. That helps him get the AAV.