The New York Yankees are keen on bringing Juan Soto for another season. It’s not unexpected since they got him in a major trade last season and seem willing to invest more in retaining him this time around too. His impressive stats from 2024; hitting 288 with 41 home runs and a.989 OPS have established Soto as one of the standout hitters in the league. Thus, having him alongside Aaron Judge in the lineup for the future will definitely give the Yankees a duo, right in the heart of their batting order. Furthermore, there are contracts set to expire with the Yankees.

This will give the organization some leeway in terms of finances in order to accommodate Soto’s contract. 13 MLB players were offered qualifying deals by their teams before entering free agency – Soto was one of them. The talk around Soto’s free agency buzzed in the MLB circles after the news broke that the Yankees put forth an offer exceeding $500 million in hopes of keeping the 25-year-old standout player in their lineup for the future.

Yankees set the stage for a record-breaking bidding war

Addressing the debates surrounding Juan Soto, Brian Cashman said, “He knows how we feel. After the season, I had a chance to thank him for everything and told him we’d be in touch. Since that time, I’ve talked to Scott as well. He’ll get a feel for the dance steps that Juan Soto wants, and he’ll keep us in the loop.” Cashman had a conversation with Scott Boras, who assured him that they are willing for many meetings with Soto as necessary if he deems it fit.

Insider Josh Goldberg shared that Juan Soto promptly declined the qualifying offer extended by the New York Yankees. Industry experts had already foreseen the dismissal, as they were well aware that Soto’s projected market worth greatly exceeded the qualifying offer he received. His upcoming deal might fetch between $45 million and $50 million per year, making it highly improbable for him to agree on the one-year proposal.

Moreover, Juan Soto has been clear about his intentions regarding agency in line with this choice. He has always stated his goal is to maximize his worth in the market, hinting that he wouldn’t settle for a short-term contract with the Yankees when a lucrative opportunity is on the horizon.

Another big league interested in Juan Soto

After an outstanding performance with the Yankees this season, Soto is now poised for one of the biggest contracts in baseball history, with estimated figures approaching $700 million, according to MLB insider Jon Hayman. This is a number that only a few companies can hand out, and the Mets can be seen up in the bidding league this time. Soto himself has indicated that he is open to considering offers from any team and hasn’t kept “any door closed.” This approach of his has kept both the New York franchising and several other companies in play.

During a gathering in San Antonio, Cashman, the general manager of the Yankees, was questioned about the Soto bidding war and specifically discussed the possibility of the New York Mets being a potential landing spot for Soto. He downplayed any concerns, stating, “It’s hard to say. I mean, I know they want to win,. They’re in a large market with us. They had a taste of success this year, and they want to move the needle even more forward. So, the best way to do that is to import quality players to what you already have.”

Cashman further added, “So that’s what we, they, and anybody interested in winning and being the last team standing, that’s what it’s all about is trying to find great players and add them to your mix.” Now, as Soto considers his options, in agency both the Yankees and Mets are gearing up for groundbreaking deals, fueling a heated competition between New York’s top two teams. The Yankees are eager to keep Soto following a season, while the Mets’ bold tactics under owner Steve Cohen might sway Soto’s choice in their favor.

What’s your prediction on Juan Soto’s future team in the league? Let us know below.