As the MLB hot stove reaches a boiling point, all eyes are on slugger Juan Soto. After a blockbuster trade sent him to the Bronx last offseason, the 26-year-old outfielder put together a season for the ages, helping propel the New York Yankees to the World Series. Now, the baseball world eagerly awaits Soto’s next move as he navigates free agency.
Reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge, who himself was the subject of intense free agency speculation two years ago, understands the weight of Soto’s decision. In a conference call with reporters Friday after unanimously winning AL MVP honors, Judge revealed his approach to Soto’s situation.
I haven’t talked to him at all. I think the best thing is to really give those guys space. He knows how we feel about him. And I think the most important thing is now let him do his thing with his family, pray about it, talk with people and come to the right decision for him and his family.
Aaron Judge on Juan Soto’s free agency
A Season to Remember
Soto’s 2024 campaign was nothing short of spectacular. The left-handed slugger clubbed a career-high 41 home runs and posted a .989 OPS, forming a historically potent duo with Judge. Soto’s 8.1 fWAR ranked fourth in the majors, cementing his status as one of the game’s brightest young stars.
In the postseason, Soto took his game to another level. He hit .327 with four homers and a 1.102 OPS across 14 playoff games. His go-ahead three-run blast in Game 5 of the ALCS sealed the Yankees’ World Series berth, a fitting exclamation point on a dominant season.
Bronx Bombers Hope to Keep Dynamic Duo Intact
For the Yankees, re-signing Soto is a top priority. According to sources close to the situation, team owner Hal Steinbrenner, GM Brian Cashman, and skipper Aaron Boone met with Soto in California earlier this week. Steinbrenner characterized it as a “good meeting” with “very honest back-and-forth dialogue.”
Judge, who inked a nine-year, $360 million deal to remain a Yankee in 2022, disclosed that he met with Steinbrenner to discuss offseason plans, including the pursuit of Soto. The 6’7″ slugger made it clear he’d love to continue playing alongside Soto, gushing about the impact of hitting behind the on-base machine.
That was a big impact, having a guy like that in front of you. If I could have eight Juan Sotos in the lineup with me, I would love that.
Aaron Judge on hitting behind Juan Soto
Soto’s Free Agency Poised to Shatter Records
After a 2024 season that dreams are made of, Soto enters free agency as one of the most coveted players in recent memory. Still just 26, the generational talent is expected to land a deal that could approach or even surpass $600 million, dwarfing the contract Judge signed in 2022.
While the Yankees hope to be the ones handing Soto that historic payday, they’re not alone in their pursuit. The slugger has already met with the deep-pocketed Mets, Red Sox, and Dodgers, as well as the up-and-coming Blue Jays. As the hot stove continues to sizzle, the baseball world waits with bated breath to see where Soto will ply his trade for the next decade or more.
The Waiting Game
For now, Soto will take his time weighing his options, discussing the decision with his family and trusted advisors. As Judge astutely pointed out, it’s a deeply personal choice that will impact Soto’s life and career for years to come.
Yankees fans, of course, are hoping Soto will once again don the iconic pinstripes and continue his assault on the record books alongside Judge. The Bronx faithful got a tantalizing taste of what the duo can accomplish in their lone season together. Now, they’re dreaming of an extended run of October glory, with Soto and Judge leading the charge.
Only time will tell where Juan Soto’s free agency odyssey will lead. But one thing is certain: wherever he lands, fireworks are sure to follow. The baseball world watches and waits, eager to see the next chapter in the career of one of the sport’s most electrifying stars.
