While the New York Yankees brass have floated the idea they would like to re-engage in conversations on a contract extension with Juan Soto, a prominent MLB insider poured cold water all over the idea. “It’s not going to happen.”
Heading into the MLB games today, the New York Yankees own the best record in baseball at 33-17. It is all the more impressive when you factor in that the team has not had ace Gerrit Cole all season and 2022 American League MVP Aaron Judge was in a season-long slump until recently. But that is just how good Juan Soto has been leading the team to first place in the AL East.
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- Juan Soto stats (2024): 11 home runs, 37 RBI, 57 hits, 4 stolen bases, 9 doubles, .317/.414/.561, .975 OPS, 176 OPS+ 101 total bases in 180 at-bats
He leads the team in runs batted in, runs scored, and average and is second in home runs. He is having an MVP-level season, in the most famous city in the world, just in time for a jump into MLB free agency after the season. It’s no wonder the team’s owner suggested last week the team would like to talk about a new contract soon.
However, on a new episode of the “Foul Territory” podcast, notable MLB insider Ken Rosenthal explained why there is zero chance Soto will re-sign during the season.
“Of course, the Yankees are open to talking. Of course, Soto is open as he said, to an extension. Will this happen? No, it’s not going to happen,” Rosenthal said. “Juan Soto has been aiming to go free-agent since he turned down that 15-year, $440 million offer from the Nationals just two years ago. That’s what prompted his trade to the Padres and then to the Yankees.
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“Soto is represented by Scott Boras. Boras prefers his clients establish their values on the open market. So, Soto could wind up very much like Aaron Judge did. Going to the open market, seeing what his value is there, and then ending up back with the Yankees,” he continued, “Or he could prompt a bidding war between the Yankees and their crosstown rival the Mets, and perhaps a couple of other teams that would be willing to go into the $500 million range for him.”
It is surely not good news for Yankees fans but Rosenthal did add that chances are the organization and any other interested teams will probably not have to wait long for him to decide because Boras is likely to prioritize getting a deal done since he will have a boatload of free agents to get deals for this winter.
