Key Takeaways:
– The Yankees’ principal owner, Hal Steinbrenner, has indicated interest in negotiating an in-season extension with Juan Soto.
– While Soto’s current contract is worth $31 million for one year, he could potentially earn a whopping $540 million in a 14-year deal.
– Despite projections that Soto will test free agency, the chemistry between Soto and The Yankees could influence his decision.
Juan Soto, the New York Yankees’ generational talent, might be heading towards a hefty payday in the near future, even before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The Yankees’ principal owner, Hal Steinbrenner, has expressed keen interest in discussing an in-season extension with Soto, creating a window of opportunity for both parties.
Soto Open to Contract Offers
Responding to these developments, Soto happily revealed that he is open to contract offers, with his agent Scott Boras stating that he is always eager to discuss with Steinbrenner. However, this does not essentially mean there will be a deal before the season ends. In fact, it is reported that if Steinbrenner offers an in-season contract, Soto could reject it regardless of the proposed amount.
Tempting Projections for Soto’s Free Agency
At the moment, Soto is contracted with the Yankees for a one-year deal that fetches him $31 million. If he does not agree to an extension by the end of this season, he could potentially unlock unrestricted free agency. The Yankees could yet see Soto resign with them after considering offers as a free agent. However, to secure his talents, the Yankees would have to out-bid, possibly reaching over $500 million.
Pundits like Tim Britton from The Athletic have speculated that Soto’s worth might match an astronomical 14-year deal estimated at $540 million. It is also emerged that the 23-year-old left fielder aspires to match Shohei Ohtani’s average annual value (AAV), which is approximately $46 million per season.
Could Winning Influence Soto’s Decision?
Despite the speculation that he may reject an in-season offer, Soto’s impressive performance with the Yankees so far could impact his decision. Averaging .302/.403/.517, Soto has hit nine homes runs, notching up 34 RBI and 30 walks. As a valuable asset to the Yankees, Soto leads the team in batting average, RBI, hits and runs.
Because of Soto’s incredible performance and contribution to the Yankees’ first place standing in the American League East, it remains a possibility that Soto’s commitment could be influenced by their winning trend. Mark Feinsand from MLB.com has reported that talks between Soto and the Yankees are likely due to Soto’s desire to compete and win.
It’s clear that Soto’s decision lies in the balance, influenced not only by the potential financial gain from free agency but also by the productive fit with the Yankees so far. This off-season negotiation period will be a crucial time for both parties and is sure to be closely watched by fans and sports analysts alike.