NEW YORK — At 1:27 a.m., Juan Soto stepped out of the New York Yankees’ clubhouse for the final time this season. Simply earlier than exiting, he turned to the clubhouse attendants and provided a closing farewell.
“See you guys,” Soto stated.
Thus started the unofficial begin of Soto’s long-awaited free company, with projections that he may command a minimum of half a billion {dollars} from the franchise that finally indicators him. His contract may surpass Shohei Ohtani’s common annual worth, particularly contemplating Soto simply turned 26 and is amongst baseball’s most elite gamers.
After fielding quite a few questions on his future, Soto sat at his locker, considering the staggering sum his checking account may attain within the coming months. He is not only a generational expertise; he’s poised to earn generational wealth. When requested if it had sunk in that he may earn a minimum of $500 million, Soto smiled knowingly.
“It’s been on my thoughts for some time now,” he remarked.
Even properly after the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the World Collection, Soto remained in full uniform, misplaced in thought as he stared at his locker, making an attempt to make sense of the Yankees’ disappointing season.
Again in February, Soto was satisfied the Yankees had greater than sufficient expertise to win all of it. Nevertheless, the Dodgers uncovered the essential flaws that plagued the Yankees all yr. When Alex Verdugo struck out to seal a 4-1 sequence defeat, Soto lingered within the dugout longer than some other participant. Perched atop the bench along with his batting helmet and gloves nonetheless on, he was prepared for a closing at-bat that by no means got here. As he watched the Dodgers have fun, frustration washed over him. Nonetheless, he was capable of categorical gratitude for what the Yankees had achieved, even when it didn’t culminate in a championship.
Anthony Volpe is watching the Dodgers have fun on the highest step. Juan Soto is sitting along with his batting gloves on and helmet. pic.twitter.com/aswS9uCEf7
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) October 31, 2024
He mirrored on the potential for this being his final sport in pinstripes, calling it a “robust one” to finish on. Regardless of appreciating each second of the yr, he maintained that no workforce holds a bonus over the others as he enters free company.
“I really feel like each workforce has the identical alternatives once I go into free company,” Soto stated. “I wouldn’t say any workforce has a bonus. We’ll consider what every has to supply.”
Soto stands out because the uncommon famous person who overtly acknowledges his particular person achievements, understanding that his efficiency will dictate his worth. He realizes that he simply completed the most effective season of his profession, elevating the query: Why would he depart the Yankees? He thrived hitting in entrance of Aaron Choose all yr and is more likely to end among the many high 5 in American League MVP voting. Few lineups may provide the type of safety the Yankees can, not solely enhancing his stats, however growing his possibilities of returning to the World Collection stage.
“This yr will keep in my coronary heart for the remainder of my life,” Soto stated of the 2024 Yankees. “It was actually particular. I’m happy with what I achieved, largely due to Choose. The arduous work I put in in the course of the offseason paid off. I’m happy with myself and this group as a result of they made it straightforward for me. I’m undecided what subsequent yr holds.”
An in depth teammate admitted to The Athletic that he had no inkling of Soto’s intentions in free company, solely merely suggesting that Soto genuinely loved being a Yankee this yr. He’s by no means been capable of learn what Soto needs in free company.
It’s essential to notice that the Yankees weren’t Soto’s selection in 2024. They pursued him, believing he may very well be the lacking piece for a title run. When it turned clear he would be part of the Yankees, Soto felt pleasure at being a part of a company persistently in playoff competition — an necessary issue for him as he weighs his choices.
Reviews recommend Soto may not have even been a Yankee if not for the late Peter Seidler, proprietor of the San Diego Padres, who wished him to stay in San Diego at some stage in his profession. Soto advised The Athletic that he was open to signing a long-term extension with the Padres due to how loaded their roster is. He by no means sought a commerce, believing he would play for San Diego in 2024 till the group’s path modified after Seidler’s loss of life.
Juan Soto and Aaron Choose mixed to change into one among baseball’s most formidable duos in 2024. (Alex Slitz / Getty Photographs)
There’s a prevailing notion that New York, with its robust Dominican roots and proximity to Soto’s residence nation, provides the Yankees and Mets an edge. Nevertheless, Soto downplayed this facet in his decision-making course of. What’s going to weigh closely on his thoughts within the coming months is the conclusion that the Yankees possess a formidable core of stars, equal to some other group in baseball.
“Leaving a profitable workforce is all the time troublesome, and this place was really particular,” Soto stated. “I’ve had a blast right here. No matter the place I find yourself, I’ll be glad for my teammates and the connections I’ve made. This group is outstanding. Ultimately, we’ll see what occurs.”
Yankees followers have made their needs clear — they need Soto to stay in pinstripes for the whole lot of his profession. They’ve chanted “Re-sign Soto!” all through the season, arriving at Yankee Stadium with reproduction clean checks bearing his identify. His teammates have publicly lobbied for his return, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. boldly stating he ought to obtain $700 million. Jasson Domínguez expressed his hope to study from Soto, urging the Yankees to do no matter it takes to maintain him.
“You need to give him the money,” Domínguez stated earlier within the World Collection. “On the finish of the day, after that at-bat in Cleveland, I might give him a clean examine. Right here’s no matter you need. Keep right here.”
When requested what recommendation he would give Soto in free company, Giancarlo Stanton’s message was: “Stick with us.”
There’s a palpable sense of urgency inside the Yankees clubhouse and fan base to retain Soto, recognizing his immense worth. With out him, the Yankees’ roster might be depleted in 2025. Followers have already begun to check the subsequent decade alongside him and Choose on the high of the order.
When requested if the followers’ want for him to remain would affect his choice, Soto acknowledged the affect of their assist on the Yankees’ possession.
“Most likely, it is going to affect the choice of possession,” Soto stated. “I’m actually grateful for the followers. They’ve been unbelievable.”
Final offseason, Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, had his 4 greatest shoppers — Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, and Cody Bellinger — take their free company deep into the method. Soto expressed no concern a few comparable state of affairs this yr, suggesting he wouldn’t thoughts if it occurred once more.
He additionally avoided committing to instructing Boras to present the Yankees the ultimate alternative to match any provide in free company, indicating that his single season in New York doesn’t present any clear benefit over different groups.
Soto wouldn’t straight reply whether or not he needs to return to the Yankees subsequent season, stating he plans to contemplate all affords that come his means. For followers hoping for heat sentiments about his future with the Yankees, his remarks on the ultimate day of the season fell brief.
This uncertainty loomed within the New York clubhouse as Soto sat within the dugout, watching the Dodgers have fun on Yankee Stadium’s infield. He contemplated what may have been whereas shifting focus to what he known as “the subsequent step” in his profession.
For his supervisor, that subsequent step is securing a long-term contract with the Yankees.
“I hope he’s right here perpetually,” Aaron Boone stated.
(Prime photograph of Soto: Sarah Stier / Getty Photographs)
