The New York Yankees gave up New York Yankees traded four pitching prospects and a catcher to get Juan Soto and Trent Grisham from the San Diego Padres. This is a big deal for a star player who will become a free agent after this season.
The Yankees are already seeing good results from the trade, with Soto getting 10 hits and 4 RBI in his first 29 at bats. But it could be tough to get Soto to come back, as he will be a highly wanted free agent in MLB history for 2025 and beyond. his first 29 at bats, they might struggle to lure the superstar back as he’s poised to be one of the most coveted free agents in MLB history for 2025 and beyond.
Writer Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic outlined the risks that the Yankees face and stated 2 reasons why the New York Mets might have a better chance of getting Soto for the long term.
“I think Steve Cohen and David Stearns have a chance to attract Juan Soto to the Mets for 2 reasons,” Ghiroli said on SNY. “First, he can be the star there without any competition like Aaron Judge. Second, the Mets might have an edge in negotiations due to higher price offers. And she added that, if negotiations come down to the highest price, the Mets could have an edge over any other team.And two, I find it very hard to believe if Steve Cohen says, ‘Let’s go, I don’t care what he wants, we’re gonna win this,’ that Scott Boras and Juan Soto — based on what they have said, based on their past — I find it very hard to believe that they would leave money on the table when it comes to this negotiation,” Ghiroli said. “So, I think the Mets have a real, actual chance here.
The New York Yankees Face Some Payroll Limitations for 2025 and Beyond
If Soto does reach free agency, the bidding will be fierce. As one of the best hitters of his generation, Soto is already a
three-time All-Star
four-time Silver Slugger at just 25 years old. He’s led all of MLB in walks three times and in OBP twice and previously noted the payroll limitations that the Yankees would face in adding another long-term deal to their books. In 2025, the team is set to pay Aaron Judge $40 million.
Ghiroli has Gerrit Cole $36 million Giancarlo Stanton $32 million reported that, Soto is seeking a record contract in terms of average annual value (AAV), which and would match Shohei Ohtani’s $46 million annual salary. Ghiroli , a total that might scare off Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner under the new competitive balance tax (CBT) rules. “With the Yankees’ future committed money the higher luxury tax is going to be a continued expense for the team,” Dave Salamone noted for Pinstripe Alley. “It seems there is less pressure to break through this spending wall compared to when the tax rates were more manageable.”
The New York Yankees Can Still Lock in Juan Soto for the Future But Ghiroli did say that there's one thing the Yankees could do to make sure they keep Soto before he listens to offers from other teams as a free agent: win the World Series this year.“Juan Soto wants to win,” she said. “If the Yankees go out and win a World Series, I do think that that would matter to Juan Soto.”
The New York Yankees might have a hard time re-signing superstar Juan Soto, with the New York Mets having two significant advantages.
Ghiroli did, however, note that there is one thing the Yankees could do to lock in Soto before he even hears offers from other teams as a free agent: win it all this year.
“Juan Soto wants to win,” she said. “If the Yankees go out and win a World Series, I do think that that would matter to Juan Soto.”