LOS ANGELES — Shortly after the Yankees won the ALCS, a few players said they heard fans chanting “re-sign [Juan] Soto” with owner Hal Steinbrenner in sight at Cleveland’s Progressive Field.
“I think we should re-sign Soto!” Jazz Chisholm Jr. emphatically said when asked about the moment. “$700 million! That’s my number. Final offer.”
However, Chisholm left some wiggle room on Thursday with Dodger Stadium hosting a media day before the Fall Classic. Jokingly asked if his imaginary offer could reach $800 million, the colorful third baseman replied, “Maybe after the World Series!”
“I’m just playing,” Chisholm continued. “Just having fun with it. I hope he gets his money, man. He’s a great player, and I have nothing but respect for Juan.”
While Soto won’t make that much in free agency this winter – think more in the $500-$600 million neighborhood – Steinbrenner would probably appreciate it if Chisholm stopped talking at this point.
But the quote machine also made a pitch on the Yankees’ behalf.
“When you’re that big of a superstar, there’s no other team for you than the Yankees,” Chisholm said. “Just look at [Giancarlo] Stanton. That’s the reason why Stanton’s a Yankee. That’s the reason why [Aaron] Judge is a Yankee. That’s the reason why [Gerrit] Cole is a Yankee. And I could keep on going on with names and names and names. Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Mark Teixeira. I could keep going.”
Marcus Stroman, a Long Island native, made a similar case, stating that Soto is perfect for the New York spotlight.
“If there’s anybody, it would be Juan Soto,” Stroman said. “I feel like he rises to the occasion more than any other player in the league. He was doing it at 19, 20 years old in the World Series. I think you’re born with that. I think that’s in your DNA.
“He’s built different.”
Stroman has a point, as Soto had one of the best seasons of his career this season after coming over in a trade with the Padres last winter. The slugger slashed .288/.419/.569 with 41 homers and 109 RBI while hitting in front of Judge all season.
And with the World Series set to begin on Friday, Soto is hitting .333/.439/.667 with three homers and eight RBI this postseason. That included a game-winning blast in the Yankees’ ALCS finale, which led to those emphatic chants being directed at Steinbrenner.
“I would say, ‘You’ve had the best year of your career this year,’” Austin Wells said of his pitch to Soto. “’Why would you want to leave?’”
Wells added that he hopes Soto spends “the rest of his career” in pinstripes.
Other Yankees were hesitant to sell Soto on Thursday, as Gerrit Cole said he’s left the subject alone when talking to his teammate. But the ace, who shares Scott Boras representation with Soto, also wants to see the young superstar stick around.
“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.”
Naturally, Soto also fielded a bunch of questions about his future on Thursday.
He noted that this has been “one of the most fun years I’ve ever played,” and he spoke glowingly of how his peers welcomed him to the team from the get-go.
Soto has also enjoyed a love connection with Yankees fans, who frequently roar for him and call for his retention at Yankee Stadium. He’s repeatedly said that he’s “thankful” for Bronx faithful.
When asked how important happiness will be in his free agency decision, Soto said, “We will see at the end of the day. Definitely, every player wants to be happy where they are, but at the end of the day, whenever you win, you’re really gonna be happy. So wherever you are that you have a chance to win a baseball game or a championship, I think you’re gonna be happy and you’re gonna be excited to play.”
Soto also deflected when asked if he sees himself in a Yankees uniform long-term, saying that he sees himself in one right now.
He’s tried to focus on playing, as he has all season while letting Boras handle all the free agency talk. Soto wants to hit the market as a two-time champion, something he can achieve by helping the Yankees secure four more wins over the Dodgers.
“Not yet,” Soto said of making his mark on the Yankees’ record books, a stated goal of his. “I have one more step to go, and that is win a World Series. That’s one of the things people never forget. You can be the best player. You can do whatever you want. But at the end of the day, people remember you because you win a World Series and what you did for that community.”
