The New York Yankees have a major focus for the offseason: securing superstar outfielder Juan Soto for the long term to team up with fellow star Aaron Judge in their quest for championships.
The Yankees and Mets will likely be the biggest Soto suitors
The Yankees won’t be the only ones pursuing Soto; their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets, are also keen to lure the star away from the Bronx and into Queens. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the two New York teams are the most likely contenders for the 26-year-old outfielder.
“While the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and both Los Angeles teams could afford Soto, they are unlikely to make a serious push,” Passan noted. “Seattle might have a need for him but would likely be deterred by the cost. Ultimately, top-level sources in the front office and ownership believe this winter’s battle for Soto will come down to the Yankees versus the Mets—a clash of titans.”
The Yankees cannot afford to lose Soto in free agency
Soto is having the best season of his impressive career so far in his first year wearing pinstripes. He has already hit a career-high 37 home runs before September, and his 1.027 OPS is second only to Judge’s in all of baseball. His presence has been a game-changer for a lineup that struggled to find a second star alongside Judge last season.
As a result, the Yankees are in a strong position to end their 15-year championship drought, entering Tuesday with the second-best record in MLB. Losing Soto, especially to their crosstown rivals, is not an option. He has quickly become a fan favorite, receiving loud cheers every time he steps onto the field. This support was particularly evident when Yankee Stadium erupted with chants of “Re-sign Soto!” during Sunday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.
While the Yankees have the financial capacity to offer Soto a massive contract, they have also made it clear that they will eventually need to reduce payroll, making a long-term deal for Soto uncertain. The outfielder is expected to secure one of the biggest contracts in baseball history, potentially second only to Shohei Ohtani’s future deal.
Other player’s contracts expiring may help the Yankees afford to bring back Soto
The Yankees are set to have several significant contracts expire in the upcoming offseason, which would provide them with the financial flexibility to re-sign Soto without facing long-term financial strain. However, this might mean losing some impending free agents, like Gleyber Torres and Clay Holmes. The Yankees could consider this a worthwhile trade-off if it helps them keep Soto.
Until the offseason officially begins, all free agency speculation remains uncertain, and rumors about Soto’s future will likely continue to circulate for the next few months. When winter arrives, both the Yankees and the Mets could find themselves in a fierce bidding war for this generational talent.
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