A significant number of “MLB team executives and baseball insiders” polled by ESPN believe that the New York Yankees will secure Juan Soto with the second-largest contract in MLB free agency history.
Among the 18 individuals surveyed, 11 predicted that Soto’s next contract would exceed $600 million, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
Of those respondents, 12 believed Soto would sign with the Yankees, while four anticipated the New York Mets and two chose the Toronto Blue Jays.
“The message we heard from our insiders was clear: The Yankees don’t let stars walk. That happens to other teams,” Rogers wrote.
Last year, Shohei Ohtani inked a $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking the largest contract in MLB history. The Yankees already hold the second-biggest deal in the league, having signed Aaron Judge to a $360 million contract before the 2023 season.
Several MLB executives expressed confidence that the Yankees would do whatever it takes to keep Soto, especially after he led the AL with 128 runs last season.
One “smaller market” executive voiced doubts about the Yankees letting Soto leave, saying, “Do you think George Steinbrenner would allow one of the best players in the world to leave? I know the Dodgers are the new Yankees, but he’s in pinstripes now.”
Another executive stated, “I think Brian Cashman will show ownership just how valuable he is to their lineup.”
These comments echoed a remark from an anonymous AL executive shared Monday by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand:
“It’s the Yankees or the Mets,” the executive told Feinsand. “He knows the Yankees well after spending a year there, and Steve Cohen has enough money to give him whatever he wants if he decides he wants him badly enough. It’s tough for me to see Soto winding up anywhere else.”
The Yankees traded for Soto ahead of the 2024 season, needing a left-handed batter.
Soto exceeded expectations, hitting .288 and recording his highest on-base percentage since 2021 at .419.
His postseason performance was even more impressive, improving his slash line to .327/.469/.633 through 14 games, playing a crucial role in the Yankees’ World Series run, including a pivotal Game 4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Soto has already met with the Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox during free agency, according to Feinsand.
Feinsand also reports that the Dodgers are scheduled to talk with Soto, while the San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Tampa Bay Rays might also arrange meetings.
At just 26 years old, Soto has expressed his desire to sign with a winning team (h/t MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch), which could make both the Yankees and Mets—two of the last four teams standing in this year’s World Series run—prime contenders for his signature. However, it appears that many league executives expect Soto to stay in the Bronx rather than move to Queens.
