Oct 19, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) celebrates with outfielder Aaron Judge (99) after hitting a three run home run during the tenth inning against the Cleveland Guardians during game five of the ALCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
The New York Yankees gave up a small fortune to the San Diego Padres to secure one year for Juan Soto.
Now, Soto has helped the Yankees reach their first World Series in 15 years, but he also remains an impending free agent whether they win or lose.
On the eve of a blockbuster World Series between the Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers, manager Aaron Boone praised the young slugger but wanted nothing to do with the potential distraction of his next contract.
“That’s for another day,” Boone said. “Look, Juan has obviously been a central figure for us all year. He hit an incredible home run that helped us secure a berth to the World Series. Most importantly, just being around Juan this year, he has proven to be a teammate. amazing team, a great person to know and obviously a great player.
“I don’t think he or any of us are thinking about that right now. We’re getting ready for Game 1 of the World Series, and that’s as far into the future as we can look right now.”
Soto spent part of 2022 and all of 2023 in San Diego before the Padres traded him and fellow outfielder Trent Grisham to New York for five players, including catcher Kyle Higashioka and right-hander Michael King, both of whom had big moments in the 2024 playoffs.
San Diego also secured right-handed pitching prospect Drew Thorpe in the trade and he was the key piece in the deal when the Padres acquired right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox.
But Soto has been even more important to the Yankees. He hit three home runs during the American League Championship Series and launched the go-ahead three-run homer in Game 5 as the Yankees beat the Cleveland Guardians.
That followed a regular season in which Soto hit .288 with 41 home runs (the most in his career) and 109 RBI and 128 runs (the most in the league). He is also a Gold Glove nominee after playing 145 of his 157 games in right field and six more in left field, compiling a .994 fielding percentage with 10 assists and two errors.
“You never know what it’s going to be like when you bring players into organizations,” Boone said. “They’re getting to know you, you’re getting to know them, you’re trying to get them into the culture and structure of your team. It’s been amazing.”
Soto played this season on a $31 million contract as the parties avoided arbitration in January. He is expected to earn much more annually on his next contract, whether with the Yankees or on the open market.
Captain Aaron Judge said the Yankees have more important things ahead of them than trying to convince Soto to stay in New York.
“I know when the time comes and this is all over, he will make the right decision,” Judge said.
Game 1 starter Gerrit Cole also said he had “left (Soto) alone” on the issue of free agency.
“I certainly would love for him to stay,” Cole said. “I think he’s a wonderful player and an incredible talent. I hope the actions of this organization, both his teammates and everyone who joins this club, speak for themselves in terms of how much we love him and what he wants.” means to us, especially while he’s here.”
–Field level media
