Juan Soto isn't leaving New York, as the 26-year-old slugger is reportedly headed to the Mets in the largest contract in professional sports history, but neither are the Yankees.
Soto agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract, eclipsing the $700 million contract Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason.
With no deferrals like Ohtani, Soto is scheduled to make $51 million per year, which could rise to $55 million per season depending on what happens with his opt-out after five years.
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New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto hits a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2024. (Jane Comin Once Image Image)
But while all is well in Queens after Steve Cohen outscored the Yankees in historic fashion, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman offered Soto and owner Hal Stein a very competitive offer. Asked about Brenner's acquisition of Soto.
The Yankees, like the Mets, reportedly offered Soto $760 million over 16 years, with no guarantees. And Cashman said at Monday's MLB Winter Meetings that doing so is “beyond our comfort level.” According to MLB.com.
What the Yankees reportedly offered Juan Soto before signing with the Mets
“It's not a trade that we regret,” Cashman said, adding that he understands Soto could have always been a one-and-done player after being traded last off-season. “He had a big impact on us. It's a shame we didn't make it to the World Series.”
“There's a lot of different ways to look at this,” Cashman said of adding talent other than Soto to get to the World Series again in 2025.
Now, the question is, what does the Yankees have in store for “Plan B,” or life without Soto?
MLB.com reported that the Yankees are “hosting virtual calls” with top free agent starters Max Fried and Corbin Burnes. Starting pitching is something World Series contenders are always looking to upgrade, with the Dodgers already adding Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell as a prime example.
Even before news of Soto's selection broke, the Yankees were expected to be involved in adding infielders, particularly first base, and another outfielder was also considered.
Juan Soto (Brad Penner Image Image/File)
Options for both infield and outfield include Teoscar Hernandez, Cody Bellinger, Anthony Santander, Alex Bregman and former Mets member Pete Alonso.
Cashman and Co. need to move forward quickly to avoid missing out on other top talent, but the franchise and its fan base will have to wait for a world in which Soto isn't on the 2025 roster and beyond. I never wanted to think about it. .
He spent his only season in the Bronx, hitting career highs with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, a .288 batting average, and a .419 on-base percentage in front of AL MVP Aaron Judge in the batting lineup.
Due to Soto's performance, many people called for “Soto to re-sign!''. The chants from fans during the 2024 season were instrumental in the team's first World Series appearance since 2009. Although they could not beat the Dodgers, the Yankees were expected to do everything in their power to bring the Dodgers back. How deadly was the combination of Soto and Judge in the lineup?
Brian Cashman, general manager of the New York Yankees (J. Conrad Williams Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images/File)
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The Yankees tried, but Soto will explain why he chose a crosstown rival instead.
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