The New York Yankees are showing they’re serious about landing Juan Soto.
As reported by MLB insider Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Yankees recently upped their initial offer to the free-agent star earlier this week.
“The incumbent Yankees are making clear their resolve to try to retain their top target, but they also understand that the well-watched derby is only in the middle innings,” Heyman wrote. “The situation remains fluid and any of four or more other interested teams still has a chance to win the prize of the winter.”
On Monday, NJ Advance Media shared that the Yankees, along with the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Los Angeles Dodgers, have all made offers to Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, so far.
According to Heyman, the bidding war for Soto has entered its second round, with those teams and potentially more still in the race.
Heyman also noted that the Yankees have spoken to some of the top starting pitchers available, including Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, and were involved with Blake Snell before he signed with the Dodgers on Tuesday. However, the team’s main focus remains re-signing Soto.
The belief is that Soto is seeking a 15-year deal that would carry him into his 40s, with the Yankees letting him know they’re open to including opt-outs in the contract, according to Heyman.
At 26 years old, Soto just completed a career-best season in his first year with the Yankees, after being traded from the San Diego Padres in December. He is expected to land a record-breaking contract, potentially exceeding $600 million, and possibly rivaling or surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal with the Dodgers.
The Yankees were one of the teams to meet with Soto and Boras in California in recent weeks. Now, they’ve significantly increased their offer as the competition for Soto intensifies.
More news….
Former New York Yankees’ Top Prospect Joins NL Playoff Team on Minor League Deal
Not long ago, there was significant excitement surrounding the potential of this young pitcher in the New York Yankees’ farm system.
However, for the second time since leaving the Yankees’ organization, former top prospect Deivi Garcia is set to try to fulfill his potential with a new team.
As reported by ESPN baseball insider Jeff Passan, Garcia, a 25-year-old right-hander, has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. The deal also includes an invitation to big-league spring training, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.
Garcia made his major league debut with the Yankees during the Covid-shortened 2020 season, making six starts, posting a 3-2 record, and a 3.98 ERA. He also made a brief appearance as an opener in Game 2 of the ALDS that year, throwing one inning in the postseason.
Over his time with the Yankees from 2020-2023, Garcia pitched 48.1 innings (eight starts, 10 appearances), recording a 4.84 ERA. He was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox in August 2023.
Garcia made just 20 appearances for the struggling White Sox over the past two seasons, registering a 5.40 ERA. He began the 2024 season in Chicago’s bullpen but was designated for assignment after posting a poor 7.07 ERA in 14 relief appearances. He spent the remainder of 2024 with Triple-A Charlotte before opting for free agency this offseason.
Now, Garcia will join the Brewers as part of their efforts to revitalize young pitchers’ careers, a task the team has a reputation for excelling at.
There was once more hype around Garcia within the Yankees’ system compared to Luis Gil, who recently won the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Award, announced on Monday.
Despite recent struggles, Garcia still has time to rediscover his form at just 25 years old and could reinvent himself in Milwaukee, potentially developing into a solid swing starter or bullpen option.
