KANSAS CITY – Hours before Game 3 of the ALDS on Wednesday, Juan Soto fielded a question about the tradition and culture associated with the Yankees.
“When you put that jersey on and those pinstripes, it just feels different,” Soto replied.
How much longer Soto will wear pinstripes has been a storyline throughout his first — and possibly last — season with the Yankees. The 25-year-old is going to be a free agent after this season, and he could command upwards of $500 million or even $600 million on the open market, which he’s expected to test.
With Soto’s price sure to be sky-high and other suitors waiting to pursue the slugger, are the Yankees willing to do whatever it takes to re-sign him this winter?
“I wouldn’t say that,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said before Game 3. “I’d say that we will put our best foot forward, whatever that turns out to be, and leave it at that.”
When the Yankees first acquired Soto from San Diego over the offseason, Cashman said that he understood the team’s marriage with the superstar could be a short-term situation. However, Cashman hoped to sell Soto on life with the Yankees throughout the 2024 campaign.
The GM believes the organization has done a strong job of that.
“I don’t have any thoughts on our ability or not,” Cashman said when asked if he’s confident the Yankees can retain Soto. “I know we’re gonna participate and try. If you want to put your best foot forward in terms of creating an atmosphere and culture of experience that’s positive, I think we’ve done that. I think we’ve got a lot of things that a player would want, but ultimately, it’s what Juan’s gonna want. So we’ve put ourselves in a nice light, and that’s important. Past that, though, it’s about the competition in free agency. Who knows where that goes?”
While Soto has hinted that he’s looking forward to free agency, the former Padre and National has certainly appeared to enjoy the Bronx this year.
He’s put together one of the best seasons of his career hitting in front of Aaron Judge, and he seems to love Yankees fans as much as they love him. He’s also endeared himself to the team’s clubhouse, and vice versa.
The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty recently reported that the right fielder met with Hal Steinbrenner in July. The owner will have to sign off on what could be a record-setting contract offer.
Asked if he’s gotten the sense that Soto wants to remain a Yankee, Cashman said, “I don’t know. “He’s pretty quiet, and so I think he’ll have a number of different choices. He’s played in a number of different locations. He can compare notes of where he’s been and what was good in each place, and he’s played against all the other teams and in their ballparks, and he knows all the people around the game. So I’m sure he’s getting a lot of feedback and has a decision for another day.”
Soto, meanwhile, said that he’s not focused on free agency with the Yankees looking to prolong their season.
“I always keep that to my agent,” said Soto, who is repped by Scott Boras. “Even in my house and everything, we never even talk about that. We keep it simple: just come here, enjoy the moment, enjoy where we’re at, and we’ll see what happens.”
