The New York Yankees introduced Juan Soto, their star trade acquisition, to the world via Zoom on Tuesday.
He will use the same number he has been wearing during his whole MLB career: 22.
He described playing at Yankee Stadium as a visitor as “a great vibe, a great experience”.
He called the crowds “incredible,” even when they have been booing him as a visitor.
“My mindset is to come here to play baseball and try to win a championship,” he stated.
Soto is in the last year of arbitration eligibility, expected to make around $30 million.
After the 2024 campaign, he will test the free-agent waters… unless the Yankees can get him and his agent Scott Boras to agree to an extension.
Boras is notorious for encouraging his clients to enter free agency rather than signing extensions.
So far, he has decided to go that route with Soto and he has made him millions of dollars.
An extension, therefore, was always considered unlikely.
Is there a chance, though?
Soto left the door open.
“Juan Soto on a potential extension with the Yankees: ‘They know where to call and who to talk to,’” Yankees insider Bryan Hoch tweeted, with Soto’s quotes.
Juan Soto on a potential extension with the Yankees: “They know where to call and who to talk to.”
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) December 12, 2023
It certainly wasn’t a conclusive answer, but it left a tiny bit of hope for Yankees fans.
It’s possible that Boras and Soto aren’t completely opposed to an extension, but are holding out for a specific number that the Yankees (and the San Diego Padres before them) were unwilling to meet.
Even if Soto ends up entering free agency, the Yankees have a prime opportunity to “sell” the idea of joining the franchise for the long-term in 2024.
If they can be competitive, make the playoffs, and fight for the World Series, plus offering a lucrative contract, Soto could surely entertain the possibility of re-signing in New York one day.
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