JUST IN: Yankees ready for bidding war cross-town rival
The New York Yankees’ top priority this offseason is to secure superstar outfielder Juan Soto for the long term, aiming to pair him with fellow star Aaron Judge in their pursuit of championships.
The Yankees and Mets will likely be the biggest Soto suitors
The Yankees won’t be the only team vying for Juan Soto, as their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets, are eager to lure the star outfielder from the Bronx to Queens. ESPN’s Jeff Passan suggests that the competition for the 26-year-old will likely come down to the two New York teams.
“While the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and both Los Angeles teams could afford Soto, they’re considered long shots to make a serious bid. Seattle could use him, but the financial commitment might deter them,” Passan wrote. “In the end, high-ranking front office and ownership sources believe the battle for Soto this winter will boil down to Yankees vs. Mets. Behemoth vs. behemoth.”
The Yankees cannot afford to lose Soto in free agency
Juan Soto is having the best season of his stellar career in his first year with the Yankees. He’s already set a new career-high with 37 home runs before September and boasts a 1.027 OPS, second only to Aaron Judge in all of baseball. His presence has made a significant impact on a lineup that struggled last season without a second star to support Judge.
With Soto’s contributions, the Yankees are in a strong position to end their 15-year championship drought, currently holding the second-best record in MLB as of Tuesday. Losing Soto, especially to the crosstown rival Mets, would be a significant blow. Fans have shown their admiration, chanting “Re-sign Soto!” during Sunday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.
Although the Yankees have the financial resources to offer Soto a lucrative contract, they’ve also made it clear that they’ll need to reduce payroll at some point, making a long-term deal with Soto uncertain. The outfielder is expected to command one of the largest contracts in baseball history, potentially second only to Shohei Ohtani’s future deal.