Yankees' Superstar Juan Soto Isn't Ready to Commit to New York Long-Term

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 05: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees in action against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium on May 05, 2024 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Tigers 5-2. Juan Soto isn’t ready to commit to the Yankees long term just yet.

Juan Soto and the New York Yankees appear to be a match made in heaven.

Through the team’s first 36 games of the season, Soto has established himself as their premier player, slashing .316/.421/.559 with eight home runs, 28 RBIs and an impressive 26 walks to just 23 strikeouts. He’s also been an above-average outfielder, which is a huge upgrade over what he’s been over the last two seasons.

Soto’s first year in New York could not be off to a better start, especially with the Yankees 10 games above .500 at 23-13. But with Soto being in the midst of a contract year, it’s easy to want to look ahead.

Recently, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman did just that, as he asked Soto about his potential future with the organization. In an unsurprising move, Soto was not yet ready to commit to New York long-term.

“I mean, right now I’m still learning the team. You cannot tell from one month into the season,” Soto said to Heyman. “You’ve got to see how it’s going to be all the way until the season ends.”

Soto did make it clear how much he’s enjoying his first season in New York, though.

“I’ve really enjoyed it,” Soto said. “It’s been a great experience. It’s a great group of guys. We all feel comfortable playing for each other. It’s feeling great so far.”

Soto is on his way to having one of the best offensive seasons in Yankees history. He’s been the most consistent force in a lineup that’s needed it, especially with 2022 American League MVP Aaron Judge off to a slow start for his standards.

Judge has appeared in all 36 games, but is hitting .220 with seven home runs, 20 RBIs, 26 walks and 44 strikeouts. His .789 OPS would be the lowest of any season in his career barring his debut season in 2016 when he had just 95 plate appearances.

Judge should figure things out sooner rather than later, though, and the Yankees will be getting another jolt potentially next month in the form of ace Gerrit Cole.

That should take some pressure off Soto, who seems to be unfazed by it through his first month-plus in New York.

Soto famously rejected a 15-year, $440 million deal from the Washington Nationals before they traded him in Aug. 2022 to the San Diego Padres. Just over a year later, in Dec. 2023, he was on the move again, this time heading to New York as the Padres knew they were unlikely to reach a record-breaking extension with Soto, too.

The Yankees have the money to make it happen, and Soto seems happy in New York. He’s expected to break two-way star Shohei Ohtani’s record in average annual value, though, so the Yankees will have to cough up their largest contract ever to make it happen. That record currently belongs to Judge, who signed a nine-year, $360 million deal in Dec. 2022.

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