Will the Yankees Make a Juan Soto Trade Come True, With the Bryce Harper Failure Still Weighing Heavily?

When he debuted, Juan Soto was regarded as one of the greatest hitters to ever exist at just twenty years of age. And now, in the 2023 MLB offseason market, the star outfielder is the center of the storm surrounding his probable free agency availability. A legend in the making, who can land him?

One of the many contenders for the prospective Juan Soto signing are the ever-formidable Yanks. The New York Yankees once made the mistake of letting Bryce Harper slip away from between their fingers, back in 2019. The team still faces slack from fans for the move, but can they redeem themselves now?

The Bronx is burning – Can Juan Soto be the savior?

Soto was in talks of being posted to the market this year before his agent, Scott Boras, shut those rumors down. He said that Soto will be playing for the Padres till the end of 2024 when his contract ends. That is a futile claim considering the Padres’ ongoing financial hurdle. The New York Yankees seem to have taken that into note and are taking calculated steps toward the slugger to guarantee his arrival in their clubhouse.

Just like Soto, one of the best left-handed hitters of this decade was considered the perfect fit for the Yankees’ puzzle five years ago. Bryce Harper was an avid Yankees fan growing up. One of his all-time favorite Yankees was Mickey Mantle.

Following in his idol’s footsteps, Harper chose to play for the Phillies after the Yankees rescinded their interest in him. The fans couldn’t digest it well when they saw Harper hitting off one after another of the Pinstripes’ pitchers in the games that followed. 

A Harperian shadow in the Juan Soto dream

Juan Soto has a similar story to Harper’s, but now the Yankees know better. Soto grew up watching Robinson Canó rule over Yankee Stadium. Just like Canó, Soto often likes to hit with a certain stance, from the way Canó wrapped his hands behind the left hip to the uppercut swings that ended up in sky-high homers.

Soto, a power hitter, would be more than comfortable at the Yankees’ left-field-centric ballpark. It is more than apparent now that their lineup doesn’t just need a dynamic boost. They also need to bring in a new, victorious vibe to the clubhouse.

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Soto seems to be one of the missing pieces of the Bronx Bombers’ puzzle. Let’s see if the trade works out for the Yankees or not!

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