The New York Yankees entered last winter coming off a disappointing 82-80 season. To bounce back in 2024, they made a bold move by acquiring outfielder Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres in December, at a significant cost.
So far, that decision is paying off. After a win over the Colorado Rockies on August 25, the Yankees hold a 77-54 record, giving them a one-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East. Soto has been instrumental in their success, batting .299/.429/.606 with 37 home runs, 95 RBIs, 108 runs, and 108 walks in 583 plate appearances.
Juan Soto was asked about the "please stay Soto" chants:
"I don't know. They have to talk to Cashman" 😂 pic.twitter.com/j9EN55osaw
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) August 25, 2024
The risk general manager Brian Cashman took in trading for Soto lies in his contract situation. Soto is set to become a free agent this winter and could secure one of the most lucrative deals in MLB history. Yankee fans, hoping to keep him in the Bronx, expressed their desire with a “Please stay Soto” chant at Yankee Stadium on August 25.
When asked after the game if the chant might influence his decision, Soto replied, “I don’t know. They have to talk to Cashman.”
Juan Soto Is Getting Ready to Cash in This Winter
Despite not turning 26 until October, Juan Soto has already amassed over $82 million in earnings during his MLB career, according to Spotrac. Of that total, $31 million will come from his 2024 season with the Yankees, where he’s already proven to be worth every dollar.
FanGraphs values his season performance at 7.6 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), and using their Dollars metric, which estimates $8 million per 1.0 WAR, Soto’s contributions in his first year with the Yankees are already valued at $60.7 million.
Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, have turned down multiple contract extension offers, including the widely publicized 15-year, $440 million deal from the Washington Nationals in 2022. It’s expected that Soto’s camp will aim for a deal surpassing $500 million.
Several contract projections suggest that figure is realistic. The Athletic’s Tim Britton, for example, projected a 14-year, $540 million contract for Soto before the 2024 season began. Some insiders believe Soto could even push for a deal exceeding $600 million.
Aaron Judge Also Wants the Yankees to Re-Sign Juan Soto
Aaron Judge is no stranger to having a standout season right before hitting free agency. In 2022, he broke the American League single-season home run record with 62 homers, won the AL MVP Award, signed a $360 million contract to stay with the Yankees, and was named the team’s 16th captain. Remarkably, Judge is having an even better season in 2024, sharing the lineup with Juan Soto. He’s slashing .333/.465/.736 with 51 home runs, 122 RBIs, and 122 runs scored in 577 plate appearances. This marks the third time he’s hit 50 or more homers in a season, and he’s currently on pace to hit 63.
But while Judge is focused on his own success, keeping Soto in the Bronx is clearly on his mind. During a recent game, YES Network cameras caught a moment where Judge and Soto reacted to the crowd’s “Please stay Soto” chants. Judge smiled and gestured towards the crowd, signaling to Soto that he should take their advice. The interaction was captured by X (formerly Twitter) user eb1302.
The way Judge looks at Soto when the bleacher creatures are chanting “resign Soto!” 😭 pic.twitter.com/o80Tqy65Pr
— {CJN} Ethan (@eb1302_) August 25, 2024
Soto seems to be a perfect fit with the Yankees, and pairing him with Judge would be a nightmare for opposing pitchers for years to come. The final question is how much the Yankees are willing to spend to keep Soto in pinstripes.