Juan Soto: “Whoever wants to talk about deals, I’m open.”
Juan Soto may be joining your favorite team this offseason… well if they’re paying of course. The latest Yankee slugger is entering the final year of his contract and has every intention of heading to free agency in the winter.
Entering a 3-game series with Soto’s old team the San Diego Padres, Soto shared his free agency plans according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. “We’re going to be open to listening to anybody and everybody,” Soto said. “We’re not closing any doors. Whoever wants to talk about deals, I’m open.”
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said he’s open to negotiating an extension with Soto during the season. However, Steinbrenner also said the club’s current payroll levels are “not sustainable.”
Getting Soto to sign an extension this season seems like a pipe dream especially Soto’s track record in extension talks anyway. Soto rejected a 15-year, $440-million extension from the Washington Nationals in 2022. Soto reportedly wants a megadeal comparable to the $700-million contract Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although that may be setting the bar high it is clear Juan Soto will be worth every penny wherever he may end up. At only 25 years old, I anticipate a 15-year contract may not be out of the question.
Through 53 games this season, Soto has been awesome .315/.413/.581 slash line with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs. While also leading the league in hits (64). Aiding the Yankees to a 6 game improvement from the same point last year.
That MVP award that has been elusive to Soto so far, may be exactly what he needs to get the Ohtani-like megadeal he’s after.
***
SUBSCRIBE to the Vendetta YouTube Channel!
SHOP for Vendetta Merch!
CHECK OUT our Vendetta MLB Content Here!
