Juan Soto, the 25-year-old generational star, has been a revelation for the New York Yankees this season. Having jumped teams for the second time in two years, Soto was expected to take his time to adjust to New York surroundings. However, the spotlight brought out the best in the slugger.
He not only thrived but is set to deliver his career-best season. Moreover, with career-defining free agency on the horizon, the 2024 season stats will only elevate Juan Soto’s market value. Regardless, with estimations reaching new highs, MLB analyst Jeff Passan narrowed down Soto’s free agency to a mere two teams.
Yankees-Mets Showdown Expected In Juan Soto Pursuit
MLB analyst predictions are heating up around the possibility of Juan Soto, one of baseball’s most talented young stars, landing in New York when he hits free agency. Currently, the generational star is having a career-best season as a Yankee. Entering Wednesday, he was slashing .296/.427/.600, with 37 home runs, 95 RBIs, 1.027 OPS and 109 walks with 91 strikeouts. Soto has already surpassed the career-high home run tally of 35 with four weeks still left in the regular season. Needless to say, a career-high season in a walk year is the biggest blessing for any impending free agent, and Juan Soto is no indifferent. The 25-year-old is expected to fetch a minimum of $500 million in deals next off-season.
Recently, ESPN analyst Jeff Passan issued a list of probable suitors for Juan Soto that featured LA Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and a couple more. However, Passan believes the ultimate fight will be reduced to New York Yankees and New York Mets. “At the end of the day, high-ranking front office and ownership-level sources believe the winter for Soto is going to play out like this: Yankees vs. Mets,” Passan wrote. That being said, while signing Soto would require a substantial financial commitment, the New York Yankees have the resources and the motivation to make such a deal. The team’s front office, led by General Manager Brian Cashman, has not shied away from pursuing top-tier free agents in the past. And retaining Soto in New York could be seen as a move that solidifies the team’s offensive lineup for sveral years to come.
Mets Shortstop Tips Soto To Break All Free Agency Records
Meanwhile, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor admired Juan Soto for having a fantastic career-high year. He expects the generational star to chase every free agency record in the books of MLB next off-season. “If it’s with us, it’ll be fantastic. He’ll help us a lot,” Lindor said. It’s clear that the Mets will go all in for Soto next year.
Now the onus of on the New York Yankees to find ways to retain Juan Soto while maintaining the payroll below the maximum luxury tax threshold. Owner Hal Steinbrenner, who has been cautious of the ‘unsustainable’ payroll will be required to do some deep thinking and figure a way out of the jam to protect Soto.
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