On Wednesday, Juan Soto played a pivotal role in the New York Yankees’ Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the Kansas City Royals.
Juan Soto’s sacrifice fly to center field pushed the Yankees ahead 2-0 with runners on the corners. Despite Soto’s key contribution, the Royals managed to tie the game later on. However, the Yankees ultimately secured a 3-2 win, maintaining their momentum in the postseason.
The Yankees had leaned on their pitching early, with Clarke Schmidt delivering four scoreless innings. Schmidt, who missed nearly four months due to a lat strain, was enjoying what appeared to be a breakout year. His stuff has never been in question, but his ability to command it consistently has been a key factor in his success during the 2024 season. Despite a strong start, Schmidt faced challenges, walking Royals slugger Vinnie Pasquantino in the fourth and allowing Kansas City a chance to close the gap.
Juan Soto’s key contributions and future prospects
Before the Royals could mount their comeback, Giancarlo Stanton delivered a deep double to center field, driving in Juan Soto to give the Yankees their first hit and a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Soto had walked earlier, setting the stage for Stanton’s big hit.
As the postseason continues, the spotlight on Juan Soto grows even brighter—not just for his current contributions but for his looming free agency. The four-time All-Star, who hit .288 with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, and a league-leading 128 runs during the regular season, is set to become one of the most sought-after free agents in history. Speculation is mounting that Soto could command a contract exceeding half a billion dollars, making his future one of the most anticipated storylines of the offseason.
Despite the uncertainty, Soto remains focused on the present. “At the end of the day, I just try to focus on the game,” Soto said earlier this week. “I love this game, and I’m here to win and help the team. That’s all I’m thinking about right now.”
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Soto famously turned down a 15-year, $440 million extension from the Nationals in 2022, which eventually led to his trade to the Yankees. Whether the Yankees will make a serious push to retain him, especially as his value soars, remains unclear. For now, Soto insists contract talks will wait until after the season, leaving negotiations to his agent, Scott Boras.
“The whole free agent talks and everything, I just leave that to my agent,” Juan Soto said. “For me, it’s all about playing baseball and trying to win.”
As the Yankees continue their playoff run, Juan Soto’s performance will be crucial to their World Series aspirations. But with free agency looming, questions surrounding his future cast a shadow over the Bronx.
Up next
With another win under their belt, the Yankees will continue their pursuit of advancing in the series, facing the Royals again on Thursday at 8 PM in Kansas City.
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