Juan Soto desires to sign his next contract with the team where he will end his career.
When the New York Yankees acquired Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres during the offseason, it created quite a stir. At 25, Soto has already won four Silver Slugger titles and three All-Star selections. Soto broke the record for an eligible player for arbitration this offseason by agreeing to a $31 million contract. If there is no extension, he will be eligible for free agency after the 2024 campaign. Alden Gonzalez of ESPN reports that Soto wants to sign a long-term contract and “just finish in that one spot.”
“Everyone wants to be where they’re going to finish their career at the end of the day,” stated Soto. “A lot of players found this free agency to be quite difficult, but I believe that any person in the clubhouse, no matter where they are, will be glad to be in a long-term contract and strive to end their career as best they can. For me, staying put and attempting to complete this transaction in that exact position each time is ideal.
According to Randy Miller of NJ.com, the Yankees have not “attempted to even explore what it might take to get an extension done.”
As to Miller’s report on March 16, general manager Brian Cashman stated, “We anticipate that he will enter free agency.” “We have been open and honest about that. Of course, we wouldn’t make a party line out of it if something changed. We haven’t talked about it yet, but I’m sure it will just happen eventually.
Wherever he signs, Soto wants to finish his career.
Soto is not interested in testing the market once more, not with the Yankees or anywhere else. Gonzalez said that when he talked about his ambitions, he brought up former teammate Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, and Manny Machado.
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“Long contracts because they know that’s where their career will end,” Soto explained. In the future, anything can occur. They might be exchanged. However, they will have to bear the expense if they wish to be traded rather than using free agency to test the market once more. They simply understand that they will be there for a very long time.
In 2019, Harper agreed to a 13-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2022, Turner inked an 11-year contract with the Phillies. In 2022, Bogaerts inked an 11-year contract with the Padres. In 2023, Machado signed an 11-year contract.
Given that Soto has already been traded twice before reaching 26, his feelings are understandable. The only player to be moved twice before turning that age and to appear in three All-Star games is him.
That’s the way it is, according to Soto. “You are thrilled and content with where you are right now, as well as optimistic about the future and the team’s performance, but they make it clear that you cannot fall in love, like I did with the Nationals. They just let me go once they cracked everything open, and I was overjoyed to be there.
One of the Most Lucrative Deals Ever for Soto
Soto had a .930 OPS, 35 home runs, 109 RBI, and a.275/.410/.519 slash line in 2023. Soto has shown to be one of the top offensive players in the major leagues. His batting prowess extends beyond smashing grand slams and driving in runs. Throughout his career, he has led the majors in walks three times. Throughout his career, he has also maintained an OBP above .400 each year.
Gonzalez stated that given his age and accomplishments, there is a “possibility that his next contract will reach the $500 million threshold.” The young superstar and the Yankees have not had extension talks, but Soto, through his agent Scott Boras, has not ruled out the possibility and is “willing to listen,” Miller reported.
Miller reported that Soto said, “If they want to talk, they can talk with Scott.” “It is what it is.” Like I mentioned before, I’m going to play baseball. I currently play for the Yankees. I won’t be concerned about it.
According to Spotrac, Soto is expected to get a $408 million, 12-year contract during his free agency.
