Juan Soto has already become a fan favorite of the New York Yankees. He had a great start to the 2024 season as a member of the Bronx Bombers for the first time in his career. What was quite evident from the beginning was that the Dominican superstar has been feeling at home because of a huge Dominican diaspora in the Bronx. These fans want to see the 2020 NL Batting Champion sign a long-term deal with the 27-time World Series champions. Now, the question is whether he will sign a long-term contract if the Yankees fail to meet his and his agent’s asking price.
Since Soto is a client of the famous baseball agent Scott Boras, people can guess that Hal Steinbrenner and his organization won’t get any discount. Moreover, Boras uses the reason that Soto is a “Centurion,” which means he is one of the top 100 players to ever play the game. Hence, whichever team lands Soto, their value will increase by a billion dollars. Lately, Michael Kay mentioned that wherever the slugger gets the most money, he will go just there.
MLB Pundit Believes Juan Soto Won’t Be Loyal To The Yankees During Free Agency
Throughout the years, Juan Soto has established himself to be a formidable player. He has an impressive resume with a World Series win with the Washington Nationals. Now, he has another chance to win the World Series if the Yankees can break their jinx of the “Big Dance.” However, the question remains that even if the Pinstripes manage to win the World Series, will that be an enough reason to stay in the Bronx for the Dominican superstar? Lately, MLB Broadcaster Michael Kay suggested that Soto will go where the money is. On the ‘Michael Kay Show’ on YES, the host said that the Dominican slugger will go where they pay him the most money.
Kay noted, “Even if its a bad team like the Chicago White Sox who are willing to pay him $80 million a year, he will go there.” The Annual average salary will be a very important factor for Juan Soto and his agent, Scott Boras. Kay continued to say that 30 teams can bid on him after six months when he gets on free agency. The MLB broadcaster believes it will come down to “Money, period.” Moreover, Soto has not mentioned anything that would hint at something else. Kay believes, “Juan Soto has been very savy with every word that he used.”
Dominican Slugger Continues To Lead With Walks
In his debut season for the Bronx Bombers, Juan Soto has been very impressive with his power-hitting, home runs. But also, he has led the Yankees with walks. So far, the 2020 NL Batting Champion has 83 walks in the 2024 regular season. Following him is his partner in baseball crime, Aaron Judge who has got 80 walks.
This year, Juan Soto had 371 plate appearances, and he smashed 26 homers so far. As of now, Soto has been slashing .307/.433/.593. The Judge-Soto duo combined to hit 62 homers so far for the Yankees this season. If the Yankees want to go deep into the playoffs, they will keep relying on the Judge-Soto duo.
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