The New York Yankees gave up a small fortune to the San Diego Padres to secure one year of Juan Soto.
Now, Soto has helped the Yankees reach their first World Series in 15 years, but he also remains a looming free agent whether they win or lose.
On the eve of a blockbuster World Series between the Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers, manager Aaron Boone spoke highly of the young slugger but wanted nothing to do with the potential distraction of his next contract.
“That’s for another day,” Boone said. “Look, Juan has obviously been a central figure for us all year. Hit an amazing home run that helped us clinch a ticket to the World Series. The biggest thing, just getting to be around Juan this year, he’s proven to be an amazing teammate, great person to get to know, and obviously a great player.
“I don’t think he or any of us are thinking about that right now. We’re getting ready for Game 1 of the World Series, and that’s about as far forward as we’re looking ahead right now.”
Soto spent part of 2022 and all of 2023 in San Diego before the Padres traded him and fellow outfielder Trent Grisham to New York for five players — including catcher Kyle Higashioka and right-handed pitcher Michael King, who had big moments in the 2024 playoffs.
San Diego also secured right-handed pitching prospect Drew Thorpe in the trade and he was the key piece in the deal when the Padres acquired right-hander Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox.
Soto has been even bigger for the Yankees, though. He hit three home runs during the American League Championship Series and delivered the go-ahead three-run shot in Game 5 to send the Yankees past the Cleveland Guardians.
That followed a regular season in which Soto batted .288 with a career-high 41 home runs and 109 RBIs and league-best 128 runs. He is also a Gold Glove nominee after playing 145 of his 157 games in right field and six more in left, accumulating a .994 fielding percentage with 10 assists and two errors.
“You never know what it’s going to be like when you bring players into organizations,” Boone said. “They’re getting to know you, you’re getting to know them, you’re trying to get them entrenched in the culture and the fabric of your team. He’s been awesome.”
Soto played this season on a $31 million deal as the sides avoided arbitration back in January. He is expected to make much more annually on his next contract, whether with the Yankees or on the open market.
Captain Aaron Judge said the Yankees have bigger things ahead of them than trying to convince Soto to stay in New York.
“I know when the time comes and this is all over, he’ll make the right decision,” Judge said.
Game 1 starter Gerrit Cole also said he has “left (Soto) alone” on the topic of his free agency.
“I certainly would love to see him stay,” Cole said. “I think he’s a wonderful player and an amazing talent. Hopefully the actions of this organization, both of his teammates and everybody that pours into this club, speak for themselves in terms of how much we want him and what he means to us, especially while he’s here.”
