The New York Yankees made one of the biggest moves this offseason when they acquired outfielder Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres.
It was a blockbuster deal that the Yankees needed to make.
After a disappointing 2023 season, the Yankees’ front office was under pressure to make a big move.
Adding Soto qualifies the Yankees as one of the favorites in the American League next year.
But, before Soto can step on the field the sides must agree on a salary.
Soto and the Yankees are hoping to avoid an arbitration hearing by agreeing to a record-breaking deal.
According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees plan to pay Soto over $30 million next season.
That will be the arbitration-eligible record for any player.
Yet, the sides have not agreed on a final number.
The Yankees and Juan Soto are still working on a salary number. The Yankees agree Soto will break Shohei Ohtani’s arbitration-eligible $30M record, they just haven’t agreed on how much he will beat it by.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 11, 2024
Soto is a once-in-a-generation player.
He is not someone the Yankees want to upset before he even steps on the field.
It is safe to assume Soto will end up getting whatever number he asks for.
The Yankees look stout next season with a lineup consisting of Aaron Judge and Soto.
There may not be a better one-two punch in all of baseball.
Also, it is worth mentioning that Soto will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
The Yankees did not trade for him to let him walk out the door one year later.
Soto is setting himself up for one of the most lucrative contracts in MLB history.
Shohei Ohtani received $700 million over 10 years from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
While Soto will not get that much, he could come close.
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