Let’s get this out of the way: money is going to be a mighty factor in Juan Soto’s free agent decision.
With Scott Boras representing the 26-year-old and some of baseball’s richest owners pursuing him, the perception is that Soto will take the highest offer, or close to it. But surely suitors, which include the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Dodgers, have been talking to Soto about more than just financials as he seeks a deal that will last well beyond a decade and cost considerably more than half-a-billion dollars.
With such a commitment coming with life- and legacy-changing implications and Soto in line for a major payday no matter what, we brainstormed a few things the Yankees could offer Soto besides money. While not all of these things are exclusive to the Bombers, they can make a sales pitch that goes beyond cold, hard cash.
COMFORT, CONTINUITY & FAMILIARITY
By all accounts, Soto really enjoyed his 2024 campaign in the Bronx. In addition to reaching the World Series after a career year, the right fielder handled the New York spotlight well, fit into the Yankees’ clubhouse and bonded with the team’s passionate fanbase.
At the GM Meetings earlier this month, Boras noted that Soto was “really comfortable” in the city. Soto, meanwhile, previously called this past season “one of the most fun years” he’s had in the majors.
After being traded by the Nationals and Padres, Soto hasn’t played two full, consecutive seasons for the same team since 2020-2021. Staying in one place — one that he already knows he likes — could be appealing.
The Yankees are the only suitor that can fully offer this to Soto, and the player’s one-year preview in pinstripes seemed to make a strong impression. However, the Mets also come with the backdrop of New York City, and Soto’s next contract is going to give him long-term stability wherever he lands.
HITTING IN FRONT OF JUDGE
Soto had the best year of his career in 2024, slashing .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs, 109 RBI, a 180 wRC+ and an 8.1 fWAR before finishing third in MVP voting. It’s no coincidence that he did all that while hitting in front of the actual MVP, Aaron Judge.
Soto has called Judge “the greatest hitter in the world.” With Judge already under contract long-term, Soto now has a chance to keep hitting in front of the Yankees’ captain for the foreseeable future. After putting together such a dominant season, continuing that specific pairing — only available in the Bronx — could be enticing.
That the two superstars seemed to click shouldn’t hurt the Yankees’ case, either, but other teams can certainly offer team-ups with elite players.
THE EAST COAST
While Soto declared himself “available for all 30 teams” after the World Series, there’s a belief that the Dominican-born, Miami-residing talent would prefer to stay on the East Coast, where he would be closer to family.
Soto has downplayed the idea that that means staying in New York, where he connected with the Bronx’s large Dominican population. Of his known suitors, only the Dodgers would take him away from the East Coast.
PINSTRIPED PRESTIGE
Few sports franchises can offer the same prestige and history that the Yankees do. Yes, the Dodgers are up there as well and are fresh off a championship, but Soto has said that he wants to make a mark on the Yankees’ jam-packed record books. He can’t do that if he only spends one season with the team.
Soto could also end up in Monument Park if he sticks around. In fact, such an honor would be expected if he’s signing for over 10 seasons.
PARTNERING WITH AN OWNER
While Yankees fans may find Hal Steinbrenner less aggressive and more financially restrained than his late father, Judge recently went to bat for the owner, calling The Boss’ son “active,” “receptive” and caring about the product he funds. Judge also spoke in detail about the close relationship he shares with Steinbrenner.
Gerrit Cole, another well-paid Yankee, also has a strong rapport with Steinbrenner. Last week, Steinbrenner said he’d like to have the same bond with Soto should the player return. Steinbrenner added that he conveyed that message to Soto when the Yankees visited him and Boras in Southern California on Nov. 18.
While some might laugh at the idea of a friendship between a 26-year-old and a 54-year-old being some sort of selling point, Boras has said that Soto wants to know the owner he’ll be committing his future to.
CONSISTENT CONTENTION
While all of these things could make a small difference if Soto finds himself on the fence, he’s publicly stated that winning is “one of the biggest factors” in his free agency (again, he’s going to get paid regardless). The Yankees can offer that on a consistent basis. Then again, so can a few other suitors, including the team that just beat the Yanks in the Fall Classic.
While the Yankees are not alone in this department and haven’t won a championship since 2009, they do have a strong track record when it comes to reaching the playoffs and putting themselves in strong position to do so by acquiring new talent. Judge wanted assurances from Steinbrenner that such trends would continue before re-signing with the club two offseasons ago, and when the Yankees suffered a rare playoff absence in 2023, they went out and acquired Soto in a blockbuster deal with San Diego. That resulted in a pennant and a long-awaited return to the World Series.
In a way, Soto himself is an example of how serious Steinbrenner and the Yankees could be about winning it all, their stated goal every year. However, retaining Soto won’t be enough to put the Yankees over the top, as they also have questions at first, second and left, in addition to the rotation and bullpen.
Steinbrenner has acknowledged these holes. In doing so, the owner, who would prefer a payroll below the highest luxury tax threshold, will likely have to commit to spending beyond Soto as the Yankees’ courtship of the slugger continues.
