Juan Soto Once Rejected a $440 Million Contract – By Playing Hardball, Are the Yankees Undervaluing the 25-Year-Old

The trade rumor mills are churning out multiple reports. In the thick of the off-season, the news on a couple of acquisitions is close to a climax. One of them being Juan Soto’s. While there is no definitive statement from the officials of the forerunning teams firsthand, sources say that the most aggressive suitors for the 25-year-old are the New York Yankees. Now, the Yankees are surely salivating at the likelihood of having him onboard. But the San Diego Padres are setting some well-deserved non-negotiables that the NYY continues to contemplate. 

Lately, there the preliminary discussions between the two teams advanced to the extent of discussing player names. While San Diego is sure about cutting costs, New York is certain about improving their out-fielding. That said, the two teams could go to any lengths to achieve their individual goals. On one hand, the Padres demand certain key players in lieu of the former Washington National, which could shake the Yankees’ present-day lineup. On the other, if New York hesitates, they might lose out on the man who once rejected a $400 million contract. 

Why Did Juan Soto Turn Down Such A Massive Deal?

According to sources, a couple of years ago, when Soto was 23, he turned down a $440 million, 15-year offer from the Washington Nationals. Note that, this exceeded the 12-year, $426.5 million contract Mike Trout signed with the Angels in March 2019. Had he accepted this offer which would have made him the 20th-highest paid in baseball, he’d be earning an average salary of $29.33 million. The contract that covered him from age 24 to age 38 would have meant that he would have been a National for the entirety of his career. But one question stands. How could anyone reject a once-in-a-life-time deal?

To answer that, one must not forget that Scott Boras is Juan Soto’s agent. He flaunts the image of bagging the most lucrative deals for his clients. That said, the Dominican could have sought out a deal worth over $500 million if he were to wait. While that sounds like a far sighted decision, it definitely amped up the optics surrounding Soto. An AL executive said, “Everyone knows where Scott built the bar, and it is not going to go lower.”

MLB franchises knew then, that he would hit free agency in 2024. Sooner or later, the suitor would have to spend heftily on the 2018 MLB debutant. The prediction, as of today is playing out just right. Knowing the value of Juan Soto, why are the Yankees reluctant to comply with the Padres’ demands? Being one of the biggest franchises, finance might be their last challenge, however, just by delaying the acquisition, are they going to miss out on an amazing opportunity? 

What Is the Current Situation the New York Yankees Are In? 

Well, the current situation is that the Bronx desperately needs to bulk up their 2024 prospects. Though Juan might be only available for a ‘brief’ period, it is worth grabbing the opportunity given their plight. He would surely be able to clean a lot of things up for the Yanks with his peak youthful talent. His left-handed bat and the ability to control the strike zone since the time he was in his teens are also what New York can leverage. 

Clearly, signing Soto would benefit the pinstripes. Then why have they not gone ahead already? As referenced earlier, the Padres, the team Soto is incumbent of, have made high demands that might cost NYY more than just money. Pitcher Michael King, pitching prospect Drew Thorpe, and a few other prospects are reportedly being requested by San Diego. According to league sources briefed on the discussions, the list also includes Randy Vasquez and Jhony Brito. The question that Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner have to address is; how would they manage their resources if these names were to leave the Bronx? 

Do New York Yankees Actually See Juan Soto’s True Value? 

While the Friars’ demands were foreseen considering that they are in the midst of a cost cutting regime, the Yankees may not be ready yet. Does this mean that they are underestimating Juan Soto’s value? If so, what would be their plan of action Soto-less? There was once a time when Washington recognized his potential and upped their offering from a 13-year, $350 million to a 15-year, $440 million which he rejected. This is a stark testament to the value the big leagues see in the 3x All-Star. 

Read More : Thorpe, King, Spencer Jones, Torres, and More: Inside Scoop on Who’s On and Who’s Off the Table in Yankees Juan Soto Pursuit

For the Yankees who have had the worst season in 30 years delivering an 82-80 record, they stand a chance to correct course for 2024. It is also to note that their World Series drought since 2009, could come to an end if they have Soto’s world series contribution. Not to mention, Washington Nationals won the world series in 2019 where the slugger rose exponentially to the limelight. Considering all angles of the Soto-discussion, would the Yankees be able to see through their inhibitions and make a decision about the young Dominican who dominates the diamond? 

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