New York Yankees superstar slugger Juan Soto is leaving his options open for his future with his upcoming free agency on the minds of the entire MLB universe.
Soto is in his first season with the Yankees. He’s also approaching the end of the final year of his contract, which will necessitate an extension from the Yankees’ part or a free-for-all in the open market once the season concludes. The impact that the 25-year-old has had in New York over the course of their first 82 games has been nothing short of spectacular. His entire output can be summed up by his astounding 4.3 WAR. There aren’t many Juan Soto’s out there for teams to have. Soto’s play has positioned him as a leading candidate for the 2024 AL MVP award.
The Dominican star has a .303 batting average and 19 home runs through the first half of the regular season. He also leads the Majors with 67 walks and a .434 OBP. His work in the outfield has also been sharp. The three-time All-Star’s 167 putouts to only two errors predominantly in right field have contributed to his .989 fielding percentage on the season.
Juan Soto’s MVP-level play and attitude have the Yankees wanting to keep him for life
This is why Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner wants to keep Soto in the Bronx for life. Soto seems to be loving his situation in New York, as he stated ahead of the Yankees’ Subway Series against the New York Mets, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post:
“It’s been fun — great teammates, great players. It’s been great so far … It’s nice to hit in front of [Aaron Judge]. It just makes my job easier, and hopefully I can make his job a little easier, too.”
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Soto threw a subtle blow at the Mets ahead of his 2025 free-agency
In the same breath, the reigning Silver Slugger award winner said this about the Mets, who are reported to be a major player that’ll try to sway him away from the Yankees next winter:
“It’s another series, another team we’ve got to beat to go all the way to the World Series.”
Another series and another team. That burn to the Mets and their owner Steve Cohen may sting now. But of course, winning and money can alter Soto’s perspective and should both look more promising across the waters in Queens, NY. later in the year.
Soto winning a World Series with the Yankees in 2024 could persuade him to commit for life
Amid all of these circumstances, the former 2019 World Series Champion wants to win the same with the Yankees in 2024. Even with that in the forefront of his mind, Soto’s stance on his free agency is this:
“We will see. In the offseason we will figure it out. I’ll let [agent Scott Boras] do his thing. We’re going to see,” Soto remarked.
“It’s going to be fun.”
This all stems from his comments earlier this year, where he did not shoot down the thought of staying in Pinstripes for his entire pro career:
“My door has been always open. Whenever (Steinbrenner) wants to start talking to Scott [Boras] and all his people, they’re always open to hear whatever he has. For me, I just focusing on the game right now,” Soto said.
The Yankees want to avoid a $300 million-plus payroll in 2025 and beyond. Nevertheless, Soto will be worth breaking the bank for to retain. He appears set to play his cards right in free agency as perhaps the most coveted player that’ll hit the market. For now, Soto wants to win big. A World Series crown will likely be the biggest factor that keeps him in the Bronx or sees him jump ship next offseason.