Yankees outfielder Juan Soto will be one of the most prized players on the market once free agency hits.
The 26-year-old outfielder had a strong season after ending up in the Bronx via the December 2023 trade. He posted a .288/.419/.569 batting line in his 713 plate appearances, hitting 31 doubles and a career-best 41 homers. Soto made his fourth All-Star Game, led the American League with 128 runs scored and was fifth in the league with 7.9 bWAR.
That strong performance, coupled with his youth, will make Soto a hot commodity. While he is assured of receiving a qualifying offer, that will not impede his free agency as it has other players. The only question is how much Soto will receive in his next contract.
While Soto said that he is open to every team, he is projected to receive at least a 10-year deal worth $500 million. While every team may want Soto, few will be able to afford that type of expenditure. Let’s take a look three potential landing spots for Soto.
New York Yankees
The Yankees have been very clear that they want Juan Soto to remain with the organization. Team chairman Hal Steinbrenner said in May that he wants Soto to be a Yankee “for life.” Soto, for his part, said that he was willing to discuss an extension and his door was always open.
While the Yankees had been viewed as the favorites to retain Soto’s services in June, that may no longer be the case. The Yankees already have over $185 million on the books for just six players. Although some of those roster spots will be taken by players making minimal salaries, the Yankees have plenty of holes to fill. Unless the Yankees are willing to greatly exceed the luxury tax, they may not be willing to spend over $90 million on Soto and Aaron Judge alone. Given how well that duo performed, and the Yankees’ push to win their 28th championship, they may not have a choice.
New York Mets
The Mets have not wasted any time in pursuing Soto. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets were one of approximately a dozen teams to reach out to the outfielder following the World Series. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the Mets are viewed as the current favorites to bring Soto on board.
The Mets had regarded the 2024 season as a bridge year, signing players to one-year contracts in order to reset their roster. With $90 million in dead money coming off the books as the contracts for Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and James McCann have expired, the Mets have the payroll flexibility to add a player such as Soto. He could be the bat that the Mets need in the middle of their lineup.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani deferred $680 million of his 10-year, $700 million contract to allow the Dodgers to add pieces toward a championship team. That mission was accomplished on Wednesday as the Dodgers won the 2024 World Series in five games.
However, the Dodgers could have a significant hole in their lineup. Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez is slated to enter free agency this offseason, but Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported that returning to the Dodgers is his priority. Even if Hernandez stays, the Dodgers could have an opening in the outfield as Mookie Betts spent time at short, second and right field last year. Soto would add another dangerous bat to a solid lineup as the Dodgers look to defend their World Series title.
