Juan Soto is one of those players who was an underdog when he initially stepped foot in MLB. He has been named as one of the top picks for prospective MLB drafts in the wake of his near-ending one-year contract with the San Diego Padres. Will fans see him move to the East Coast next?

Soto was traded in by the Padres back in 2022, with a $5 million increase on his previous salary structure. Their financial downfall this season, among other factors, plays a hand in Soto’s future. Some fans are rooting for the New York Yankees to choose him. While Soto does care for money, his concerns also count in the factors of honor and experimentation. This was proven back in 2022 in two separate stints with the Washington Nationals.

When $23 million counts as more than $440 million

Juan Soto was already playing for the Nationals back in 2021 when they offered him an extension contract. Valued at $350 million, it demanded 13 more years out of him. Soto turned it down without further ado; he was looking forward to free agency. The Nationals traded him to the Padres before he got to explore that.

The Nats reached out to him with another offer after that. Soto turned down the $440 million for 15 years deal, even though it would’ve given an approximate $6 million hike in his Padres salary of $23 million.

Now that the San Diego team is looking to cut payroll, Soto has become the center of many trade speculations. Because the Friars cannot possibly keep him and make budget cuts at the same time. Soto said something while turning down the last Nationals offer, that gives a clearer view of how he considers moving forward in MLB.

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Juan Soto and his MLB path moving ahead

One of the many teams rooting for Soto to be their player is the almighty New York Yankees. After a one-year contract extension to avoid arbitration, he is predicted to earn a sum that the Padres just cannot entertain at this moment.

The Yankees are capable of paying Soto his salt’s worth. But the slugger seems to have other intentions—at least he did in the past. When he turned down the $440 million deal, he said “The best option is to go year by year and wait for free agency.”

Read More: Jon Morosi Predicts Yankees Deal for Juan Soto, Expects Bombers to Go All in on 25YO Star

Will the Yankees entertain Soto’s possible short-term goals? Or will he be able to stick with a team for a longer period, as a welcome change?

Watch This Story: ESPN Insider Drops Bold Juan Soto Predictions: Fans Eagerly Shout ‘Yankee’ With 100% Confidence