Juan Soto, the man of the hour at the New York Yankees, continues to turn heads at spring training. He slammed two homers already in his initial live BP sessions. And if skipper Aaron Boone is to be believed, the generational star will debut in the pinstripes on Sunday against the Blue Jays.
However, before Juan Soto plays his first game as a Yankee, talks over his future to follow in the Bronx have gained momentum. The fans want him in the clubhouse for the long haul. However, Hal Steinbrenner is wary of the financial implications. Will the Yankees break the bank for Soto? An ex-Yankee catcher believes so.
Erik Kratz Expects Yankees To Pay Juan Soto $520 Million Next Free Agency!
Impending free agent Juan Soto is set to don the iconic pinstripes in his walk year. The generational slugger will be free to elect free agency next off-season, wherein his market value is expected to soar over $500 million, irrespective of his 2024 season numbers. Understandably, the Bronx Bombers cannot afford him. Their roster already has four players covering $100 million of the yearly payroll. Adding Soto to that will lead to heavy financial implications for Hal Steinbrenner and his family. However, irrespective of the monetary constraints, former Yankee journeyman catcher Erik Kratz believes in the club’s ability to break the bank for the sake of securing a chance at winning a championship. “They’re not trying to cut costs. They’re trying to win, and it is very blatant,” said Erik on Foul Territory.
Erik Kratz made an argument that in the past couple of years, the New York Yankees went after every big name available on the market. From Aaron Judge to Carlos Rodon, the club pushed aggressively in their off-season pursuits. And if Juan Soto ends up having an exceptional year with a .280 average, .400 on-base percentage, and 100 RBIs, the Bombers would go after Soto blindly even if it costs them $520 million, says Erik. “Juan Soto is going to cost $520 million. And the Yankees will be talking to him because of a whole year of getting to know this guy,” added Kratz. While the scenario is palpable, Steinbrenner has to be extremely careful while negotiating with Soto’s agent, Scott Boras. He is notorious and will inflate the market for no reason. It’s perennial for the franchise’s co-owner to re-sign Juan Soto in an economical deal to escape luxury tax scrutiny.
Aaron Judge Likely To Concede To Extend Juan Soto
One of the key problems for the New York Yankees in Juan Soto’s extension pursuit is to protect captain Aaron Judge’s ego. If the club manages to agree to an extension contract with Soto, it would mean the generational star will be earning more than Judge.
However, Hal Steinbrenner does not feel Aaron Judge’s ego is that fragile. And given the team’s winning chances elevated post-Juan Soto’s extension, Judge would happily concede. However, it remains to be seen if Juan Soto actually wants to prolong his stay in the Bronx. He is expected to make up his mind once the season concludes.
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