During Old-Timers’ Day at Yankee Stadium, a gathering of Yankees legends weighed in on the potent combination of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, expressing optimism about the duo’s ability to propel the team toward future championships. The consensus among these franchise icons was clear: if Judge and Juan Soto continue playing together, they could lead the Yankees to World Series glory, whether this October or in the coming years.
Attention naturally shifted to Juan Soto’s looming free agency, where he is expected to be the most coveted player on the market. Speculation abounds that his next contract could be historic, potentially becoming the second-largest ever, following Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal with the Dodgers.
Lou Piniella, who won two World Series with the Yankees in the 1970s and later became a respected coach and manager, offered his take on Juan Soto’s situation. Drawing a parallel to Robinson Cano’s departure from the Yankees, Piniella cautioned against the potential pitfalls of moving to a less favorable hitting environment. He strongly encouraged Juan Soto to seriously consider the Yankees’ best offer, predicting it would far surpass Aaron Judge’s record-setting 10-year, $360 million contract.
“Remember what happened with Robinson Cano,” he said while talking on Juan Soto’s free agency rumors. “He was having great years there with the Yankees. He wants Seattle. Seattle’s ballpark is bigger. It’s harder to hit home runs there. He didn’t do well there.”
Piniella was adamant that Juan Soto should stay with the Yankees, highlighting the unique benefits of playing in Yankee Stadium, particularly its short right field, which perfectly suits Soto’s swing. He praised the Yankees’ acquisition of the slugger and emphasized the critical importance of having multiple elite hitters in the lineup. The pairing of Juan Soto and Judge, batting back-to-back, he argued, is unmatched in baseball.
“I would take the Yankees money and stay right here,” Piniella told. “It’s a dream for Soto in Yankee Stadium with the short porch in right field. I would stay here. It was a real good pickup for the Yankees (last winter). You have to have three or four guys in the lineup that could do some damage and there is none better than Soto and Judge back-to-back.”
Juan Soto set for a record contract
Given Juan Soto’s youth—he’s only 25—industry insiders anticipate that his next deal could span up to 13 years, with an annual salary averaging between $40 million and $45 million. This could bring the total value of the contract to anywhere from $520 million to $585 million.
The Yankees have emerged as early favorites to land Juan Soto in the upcoming offseason, with he openly expressing his appreciation for playing in New York. He’s praised the passionate fan base, the city’s vibrant environment, and the team’s competitive edge.
However, industry experts suggest that Juan Soto’s ultimate decision may hinge on the financial aspect of any potential deal. There’s no certainty that the Yankees will make the highest offer, and the slugger has indicated he’s open to signing with any team that meets his criteria.
There is potential involvement of other deep-pocketed teams like the Mets and Dodgers in the upcoming bidding war for the star slugger. Yet, the prevailing sentiment among the Yankees’ old guard was that staying in New York would be the best outcome for both Soto and the team, setting the stage for continued success in the Bronx.
2009 Yankees heroes’ advise to Juan Soto
David Cone, the Yankees’ pitching great, has observed Juan Soto’s careful approach to his future, commending his discretion and intelligence in handling such a significant decision. Cone echoed Lou Piniella’s sentiment that staying with the Yankees would be ideal for Juan Soto, though he acknowledged that the decision could be influenced by the offers on the table.
Cone offered insights from his own experience as a free agent in 1995, when he prioritized financial security, viewing it as his one shot to land a significant contract. Cone re-signed with the Yankees for $19.5 million over three years. However, Cone acknowledged that the landscape has changed for modern players like Juan Soto. With many of today’s stars having already earned substantial sums before reaching free agency, they may have the flexibility to consider factors beyond just money.
Cone also pointed out that modern players like Juan Soto are in a stronger negotiating position than in the past, thanks to their substantial career earnings. With over $80 million already in the bank, he has the luxury to prioritize finding the right fit for himself, beyond just the financial terms. Cone suggested that if he were in Juan Soto’s shoes, he would consider the overall fit as much as the contract size, though he stressed that the final decision rests with the outfielder.
“Everywhere Soto goes, he plays it close to the vest,” Cone said. “He’s a smart guy. Well, I think first of all, a lot of these guys are in a much better position than years past because if you look at his career earnings already up to this point, Soto’s in pretty strong position.”
Cone also noted that while there’s nothing wrong with chasing the highest offer, players in Juan Soto’s position have the luxury to factor in more than just financial gain. He questioned whether additional millions would drastically alter the superstar Yankee’s already secure financial situation, suggesting that other aspects might weigh more heavily in his decision.
Hideki Matsui, the Yankees’ 2009 World Series MVP, expressed curiosity about whether Juan Soto might leave if another team offered more money. Matsui emphasized that the slugger’s choice would ultimately depend on his personal priorities, which only he can truly understand and he is in a unique position to weigh various factors in making his decision.
Reflecting on his own free agency journey, Hideki Matsui recalled that his decision to leave Japan in 2002 was driven more by a desire to join the Yankees than by financial considerations. Matsui emphasized that playing for the Yankees was his sole focus, even if it meant passing up potentially more lucrative offers. The financial differences, he admitted, weren’t significant enough to change his mind—his priority was to wear the pinstripes.
CC Sabathia, who signed with the Yankees after the 2008 season, shared his perspective, noting that he was fortunate to achieve both of his goals: securing the highest offer and joining a team with championship potential. Sabathia commented on Juan Soto’s current situation, stressing that the decision is ultimately upto the slugger to make. He advised that the outfielder should consider his personal comfort and the chance to win a World Series when weighing his options, adding that fans will have to wait to see what matters most to him.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Soto will be very well compensated wherever he goes. But only by staying in pinstripes can he become immortalized as one of the great Yankee players of all time.
Soto also needs to consider the indorsement income available by playing in New York. That might rival his contract money.