"The next thought ... what if they don't? - MLB insider questions Yankees' Juan Soto future after he dominates Guardians alongside Aaron Judge

The Yankees are enjoying the duel hitting prowess of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, with both adding more to their already impressive tally of home runs on Wednesday. In the 8-1 demolition of the Cleveland Guardians, Juan Soto struck a two-run homer (36 HRs) and also drove in five runs, while Aaron Judge extended his major league home run (45 HRs) lead by smoking two on the night.

This incredible duel hitting has got many wondering if Soto would be retained by the Yankees after this season, including MLB insider Russell Dorsey, who was at the Yankee Stadium for the game. Soto, who was traded by the Padres in the offseason, will enter free agency in what is anticipated to even surpass Ohtani's 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers.

"I sat at Yankee Stadium tonight and watched Aaron Judge and Juan Soto be absolute nightmares in the box. And the thought crossed my mind … these dudes could hit together for the next decade. The next thought …. what if they don’t? This offseason is going to be something," Dorsey wrote on X.

Jon Heyman speaks on Juan Soto's impending free agency

In all likelihood, Juan Soto will be entering free agency to sign a blockbuster contract. The Yankees, though, may make an extension offer but Soto's agent, Scott Boras, knows enough not to sign it.

This has left intrigue in the baseball community, making comparisons with Shohei Ohtani's free agency last offseason. Jon Heyman thinks Soto will garner more attention and an even better contract.

"The agent will be an enormous factor. Soto's also only 25, 3-4 years younger than what a star free agent would be, typically. That gives teams more of his prime years playing for them. I think more teams will be in for Soto than we saw for Ohtani," Heyman said on Blair and Barker podcast (27:12).

Heyman predicts a $500-$600 million contract for Juan Soto.

"The average is around 520 million for a player of that caliber. I think it will be higher, though, closer to 600 million," Heyman added.

"Aaron Judge got 360 million, he could have gotten over 400 if he went to San Francisco or San Diego. You could say Judge is better, but Soto is 4 and a half years younger. Also Judge was a home grown Yankee, and wanted to stay, that isn't the case with Soto."

However, one thing remains clear: There's no beating the one-two punch of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge and if the former remains in the Bronx, the Yanks may return to their former glory.