Juan Soto’s teammates want him back in pinstripes.
With the 2024 season officially over and Soto just days away from becoming a free agent, several of Soto’s fellow Yankees made their pitches for him to stay in The Bronx.
“I haven’t really thought about it. I’m proud of the year that Juanny had. It was fun to come to work with him every single day. Just the work he puts in behind the scenes, even when the guy was hitting .320,” Yankees captain Aaron Judge said Wednesday night.
“I’d see him working late after the games, if he had an 0-fer, he was showing up early doing work. Whatever he decides, whatever him and his family decides, he prays on it, he’s going to make the right decision for him and his family. We were definitely lucky to have him and it would be great to keep playing with him because he’s definitely a special player.”
One of the main narratives of the Yankees’ 2024 season centered on whether Soto would be a one-and-done with the team or if this would be the first year in a long-term partnership.
The Yankees acquired Soto knowing he may only be here for one year, although, in theory, bringing him in even for one year could help the odds that he sticks around if he likes his situation.
Soto fit in seamlessly, hitting a career-best 41 homers and driving in 109 runs with a .989 OPS.
His postseason included the ALCS-clinching three-run homer in Game 5 against the Guardians, and he slashed .327/.469/.633 across the three rounds.
Those are the types of numbers that should ensure Soto is handsomely rewarded in free agency.
“I’ve never been in (free agency), so just stay with us would be the advice,” Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton said.
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Soto did not reveal much about his plans after Wednesday’s 7-6 loss to the Dodgers in Game 5 other than that he would listen to all 30 teams.
So, yes, the White Sox apparently have a chance to land him.
“I feel every team has the same opportunity,” Soto said. “I don’t want to say anybody has an advantage.”
The reality is that, as the legendary Wu-Tang Clan once rhymed in their iconic hit “C.R.E.A.M.”, cash rules everything around me.
Soto is the belle of the ball and should have hundreds of millions thrown his way, be it by the Yankees’ Hal Steinbrenner, the Mets’ Steve Cohen or even the Dodgers’ deep-pocketed ownership group.
Judge, Stanton and other Yankees can only hope Steinbrenner echoes his father and just simply won’t be topped in the bidding war.
“I hope he’s here forever,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “But I also know I’m excited for him and what the next few months are for him.”
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