Breaking: Yankees’ Desire to Retain Star Player Reaches ‘Critical’ Level, Per Insider
Once you have Juan Soto in your lineup, you can’t go back.
That’s the reasoning ESPN Insider Jeff Passan gave to explain the New York Yankees’ pursuit of the free agent superstar slugger.
In his sole season in pinstripes, Soto showed why he is looking for and will likely land a monster contract this winter. The lefty slugger slashed .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs and 109 RBI as he helped lead the Yankees back to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
Soto is a four-time All-Star with five Silver Slugger Awards, a batting title, a Home Run Derby title and a World Series ring for his run to the title with the 2019 Washington Nationals. He is just 26 years old and has just seven big league seasons.
The Yankees and cross-town rival New York Mets and their billionaire owner Steve Cohen are in the mix for Soto this winter. The Mets are seen as the front-runner because of their owner’s deep pockets.
The Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies are also considered contenders.
The Yankees contingent, including owner Hal Steinbrenner, general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone traveled out to California last week to meet Soto and his agent Scott Boras. Steinbrenner told reporters that the Yankees are in the mix for the slugger.
