NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the hours after the New York Yankees pulled off the blockbuster trade with the San Diego Padres that sent star outfielder Juan Soto to the Bronx late Wednesday, their general manager, Brian Cashman, and Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, stayed in touch. Though Soto will be a free agent after next season, and will likely set off a bidding war that could see the 25-year-old secure a deal richer than a half-billion bucks, the pair said they didn’t talk about a potential contract extension.
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Rather, one of the main points of conversation, Boras said, was making sure that Soto could wear No. 22 — the uniform number he’s had his whole career. Considering it was vacated when the Yankees cut Harrison Bader last year, that shouldn’t be a problem.
“Certainly for 2024,” Boras said in a phone call with The Athletic Thursday, “Gotham has its Dynamic Duo.”
Boras was referring to the reality that the Yankees will be able to put Soto in a lineup next to team captain Aaron Judge, one of the few hitters in baseball who can match Soto’s talent.
But what about keeping Soto in pinstripes beyond 2024?
“He’s in a new environment,” Boras said. “He has to gain some experience about his new team and what it’s like to be a Yankee and I’m sure he’ll give me direction after he spends some time there. … Our job here is, we’re all ears to listen to what the team wants to do.”
In a video conference call with reporters Thursday, Cashman said he understands that Soto’s stay in New York could be a “short-term situation,” despite the fact that the Yankees surrendered four pitchers (Michael King, Randy Vázquez, Jhony Brito, Drew Thorpe) and a backup catcher (Kyle Higashioka) to San Diego to acquire the lefty slugger.
He added that he believes the Yankees’ recruiting effort on Soto would be “somewhat automatic” as he experiences the culture of the team for a full season.
“We’re in it to win it. So that’s messaging that’s constantly being reinforced,” Cashman said. “And we also want to protect and serve our players (and) put them in the best position to succeed. We provide every opportunity or interest that they would have at their disposal so they can be successful. That in itself and playing in front of one of the greatest fan bases in the world — all those things are selling points on their own. And then past that, we’re not going to trick anybody. We’re not going to be something we’re not. We’ve got good people here, whether it’s (our) manager, coaches, (or) his new teammates, as well as our fans and the tri-state area. There’s a lot to offer. So I think that’s a recruiting beacon for anybody.”
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The Yankees could also sell Soto on their history as baseball’s winningest franchise and living in a premier city. In the past, Soto has expressed affection for Yankees legend Derek Jeter.
Brian Cashman on a potential Juan Soto extension: "I haven't had any conversations regarding that. We understand it's a possible short term situation."
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) December 7, 2023
But, of course, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner opening his wallet and dumping it on Soto’s head will likely be the difference-maker. Boras has a storied history of getting top dollar for his clients, and his mission will surely be to do the same for Soto. The pair already turned down a massive chunk of change — the 15-year, $440-million deal the Washington Nationals presented to Soto in 2022. According to The Athletic’s Tim Britton, Soto could be looking at a deal worth $540 million over 15 years.
MLB Trade Rumors projects that Soto will make approximately $33 million in 2024 via his final season of salary arbitration, which would mean he’ll earn more than $80 million before even hitting free agency.
The Yankees, who first tried to acquire Soto at last season’s trade deadline, would be among the many teams who could believe he’s worth every penny. He’s piled up 28.4 fWAR since his 2018 debut — the eighth-most in baseball. Over that span, his .946 OPS is only second to Judge (.980). He hasn’t been a good defender, but the Yankees hope that moving him to right field, which is small in Yankee Stadium, will help hide his weaknesses.
The Yankees’ offense finished 25th in runs scored last year as the club scuffled to an 82-80 record and its first playoff-less October in eight years. Cashman said Soto makes the Yankees’ offense “significantly better.”
“I’m excited,” Judge said on GoodDay New York on Fox 5 on Thursday. “We gave up quite a few pieces to get him. But he’s a generational talent. His track record, his stats speak for themselves and I think everybody in the Yankee universe is excited to have him on board.”
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Of course, it’s likely Judge’s sentiment would extend into 2025 and beyond. The Yankees haven’t won a World Series since 2009. Judge will play next season at 32 years old. The team likely feels the pressure to perform in the remaining prime years of Judge and 33-year-old Gerrit Cole, who won the American League Cy Young Award this year. Cole can opt out of his contract next season, but the Yankees can void his decision if they add an extra season at $36 million to his nine-year, $324-million deal.
Still, Cashman said the Yankees are focused on the “here and now” and not about 2025 regarding Soto. The last time the Yankees had high-profile contract extension negotiations was in 2022 when they failed to come to an agreement with Judge in spring training. Judge went on to hit an AL-record 62 home runs before finally securing a nine-year, $360 million deal from the Yankees, with the San Francisco Giants and Padres also making significant bids for him. The lesson: Even if an extension negotiation fails, the Yankees have shown they can retain the player.
It’s also possible that the Yankees aren’t sold just yet on Soto long-term at the massive amount of money he’s expected to command. There have been instances in recent seasons of players underperforming with the team, and some of the blame falling on the scrutiny and pressure that comes with playing in New York City. Perhaps the Yankees want to make sure Soto not just enjoys the city, but also can handle the heat.
“We certainly want to try always, under the Steinbrenner leadership, to make this the Mecca of baseball,” Cashman said, “and also make this an amazing and enjoyable experience for players and their families alike. … But, hey, there’s 29 other teams with tremendous opportunities and cities out there and people in their own right, and operations that they run. So that’s why it’s always a competition.”
But the Yankees will have a head start on their competitors — a full season to show Soto why he should stay forever. Their pitch clock starts now.
GO DEEPER
Juan Soto by the numbers: What Yankees are (and aren't) getting plus a bold 2024 prediction
(Top photo of Juan Soto: Matt Thomas / San Diego Padres / Getty Images)
