Juan Soto imagined as a New York Yankee, which is soon to be a reality. Photo courtesy of The New York Post
Little doubt exists that Juan Soto is one of the greatest baseball players of this current generation. In an era of the game led by stars, Soto has held his weight as one of them.
It is only fitting that he is currently playing for baseball’s most storied franchise in the New York Yankees. It is also fitting that he is slotted directly ahead of another fellow superstar in Aaron Judge. The Soto-Judge duo has been the league’s deadliest this year, but it could be short-lived.
Juan Soto is a free agent after this season, meaning that he will up for grabs by any other team. It is possible that the 2024 season will be the world’s only taste of the historic duo. But it is also likely that he stays with the Yankees — only time will tell.
25 Teams Out
Juan Soto is a generational talent, and that is being displayed this season. While he has appeared to hit a skid the last few weeks, his overall season has been nothing short of elite. Overall, he is hitting .292 with 38 home runs and 98 RBI. He has an on-base percentage of .423 and is slugging 1.005 – MVP-caliber numbers.
In theory, Juan Soto will be eligible to sign with any team in the offseason. But that doesn’t mean that every team will be able to land him. His agent, Scott Boras, will ensure that he goes to the highest bidder. This effectively locks out most of the league from going after him.
Most teams, particularly those in smaller and mid-sized markets, will not be able to afford the astronomical price tag that Soto will command. Even some of the larger market teams, such as the Cubs and Red Sox, will opt to pass on him due to monetary concerns.
This only leaves a few teams who will be expected to partake in the Soto sweepstakes. The Dodgers, Giants, Rangers, Yankees, and Mets will be the five teams in the conversation. The Dodgers already have a sky-high payroll and are expected to be in the sweepstakes for Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki. So they probably will not be able to add Soto as well — though you never count the Dodgers out.
The Rangers will also most likely avoid Soto due to their television rights deal. They are facing monetary issues due to the collapse of Bally Sports. MLB teams get a significant portion of their revenue from regional sports networks (RSNs). And Bally Sports’ issues will plague the Rangers’ revenue until it gets sorted out. That likely leaves Texas on the outside looking in.
Final Bidders for Soto
That leaves the Yankees, Mets, and Giants. The Giants have been seeking to add a superstar for the last several years — harken back to the Arson Judge drama. They have failed so far, and though they have sustained a relatively low payroll, a splurge on Juan Soto may be what puts them over the top. Soto mashed at Oracle Park earlier this year when the Yankees played there, so they have seen first-hand the damage he can cause.
In all likelihood, however, the bidding war for Soto will come down to a cross-city battle in New York. The Yankees and Mets will be the final two teams in the sweepstakes. If Soto simply wants the highest bidder, it will likely be the Mets. Steve Cohen has shown he’s not afraid to break the bank to acquire a piece of art he wants, and Soto is the finest art piece on the market.
But if the Yankees remain within the ballpark of the Mets’ offer, it is more likely that Soto will ultimately return to the Yankees. He has seen first-hand the love that the fans have showered him with, and it is in The Bronx that he can truly be a legend. If Hal Steinbrenner matches or at least stays close to Cohen’s offer, expect Soto to return and cement his legacy with the Yankees.
