What a special day for Juan Soto! Not only was he in his second World Series on October 25th, but he also celebrated his 26th birthday. That’s a milestone worth celebrating, especially on such a big stage! Playing in the Fall Classic makes any birthday memorable, but for a superstar like him, it must have felt even more special.   

Soto didn’t really need any extra good vibes heading into the World Series, but Ozzie Albies was determined to sprinkle some joy on his big day! The two have a friendly history as former NL East rivals, and Albies definitely wanted to lift Soto’s spirits. But alas, the birthday magic only lasted for a while, as the Yankees ultimately lost.

Juan Soto’s small celebration before game 1 

To kick off the festivities, Braves second baseman and 2024 World Series correspondent Ozzie Albies surprised him on the field with a birthday cupcake right before Game 1 at Dodger Stadium. How sweet is that? But as the night went on, things took a turn. Soto had to watch in agony as Freddie Freeman smashed a walk-off grand slam, sealing a 6-3 victory for the Dodgers. It was a day filled with birthday cheers but ending with a bittersweet sting.   

Game 1 of the World Series was a rollercoaster for Juan Soto, showcasing both the highs and lows of his game. The Yankees took the lead in the sixth inning thanks to Giancarlo Stanton’s two-run blast, which he helped set up after reaching base twice. That was the high point! The low point, however, came in the fifth when Soto misplayed a drive from Enrique Hernández into a triple, giving the Dodgers the first run of the game. In the end, that error proved costly as the Dodgers won 6-3 in ten innings. All these things will later affect the Dominican professional baseball outfielder’s bid as he heads into free agency.  

Speculations around Soto’s free agency   

The atmosphere surrounding Juan Soto as he heads into free agency is intense! The New York Mets are in the mix as a potential destination, and if he trades pinstripes for orange and blue, it would be a massive blow for the Yankees. Can you imagine losing a superstar like Soto to their cross-town rivals? It would send shockwaves through the AL East!

When Soto arrived in New York following a trade with the San Diego Padres last offseason, he created quite a stir. He’s on track to earn possibly the second-richest deal in MLB history—due to his outstanding play in the regular season and playoffs. That would place the Yankee outfielder in close second place behind Shohei Ohtani’s huge $700 million contract with the Dodgers. 

Oh, you better believe other teams are going to be all over Juan Soto as he hits free agency. In addition to the Washington Nationals, who know him well, the San Francisco Giants have popped up as a potential suitor. Let’s not forget the bold move Soto made before being traded to San Diego—he turned down a 15-year, $440 million contract with the Nats! Talk about a power play! With the way his stock has soared, he’s set to rake in even more this offseason. It’s looking like that decision was pure genius! What do you think? Is he going to break the bank or what?