All-Star slugger Juan Soto, who is expected to receive a long-term contract worth $500 million as a free agency this offseason, would explore re-signing with the New York Yankees but would have many suitors. “If I knew the future,” Soto remarked on Tuesday during All-Star media day, “I would play the lottery.” Nobody knows what will happen in the future. Finally, I’m relishing this opportunity to represent the New York Yankees. I’m delighted to be a part of (the game), but who knows what may happen next year.”
Soto, who will play in his fourth consecutive All-Star Game on Tuesday — his first as a starter — at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, said he had wanted to live in a major league city for several years. “It’s a little uncomfortable wearing different jerseys and changing teams,” Soto admitted in Spanish. “I’m looking forward to wearing one for a long time.” Soto, 25, was an All-Star with the Washington Nationals in 2022 before being traded just before the deadline. He attended the Midsummer Classic with the San Diego Padres last summer before being traded to the Yankees last winter.
In his first season with the Yankees on a one-year, $31 million contract, the popular Soto has hit.295 with 23 homers and 66 RBIs in 94 games, becoming a fearsome tandem with Aaron Judge, who leads the league in home runs with 34. “Soto’s been amazing,” Judge added. “He’s the best hitter I’ve ever seen.” So, will Soto and Judge be teammates beyond 2024? “Who wouldn’t want to be with a team that wins?” Soto said. “For me, while you’re on a winning team, it’s always good to be there and be a part of it.” Along with the Yankees, the rival Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs, the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Mets, and San Francisco are also anticipated to pursue Soto. Even the Nationals could be in the mix. “That decision’s all based on him and his family and what they want to do and what feels right,” according to the judge.
“As a teammate, it’s just about being there for him and showing him what New York has to offer… I wish him nothing but the best.” “He will make the best decision for himself.” After the All-Star break, Soto and the Yankees will seek to rebound after dropping 18 of their last 26 games and slipping behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. As of June 19, New York held the best major-league record. “Nobody said it would be easy,” Soto explained. “At the beginning it looked like it was easy, but of course it’s not that easy.”
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