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MLB insider Jeff Blair and Jon Heyman discussed the future of the New York Yankees' superstar Juan Soto. Soto is having the best season of his career and is set to enter free agency once the season concludes. That is to say, the Yankees and the slugger don't agree on an extension before the offseason starts. Soto is one of the top hitters in the major leagues, hitting .302, 35 home runs, and 88 RBIs in the 2024 season.
On the latest episode of Blair and Barker, Heyman talked about how he sees Soto as a more sought-after signing as compared to Shohei Ohtani's free agency in 2023 (27:25).
"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.
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Also, Jon talked about what kind of fee he thinks it will take to seal the deal.
"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.
Juan Soto hits home run in series opener; the Yankees fall at home to Guardians
The New York Yankees lost 9-5 to the Cleveland Guardians in the home series opener on Tuesday. The Yankees hit the strides first up, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first courtesy of back-to-back home runs from stars Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.
Juan Soto added to his career-best season with another home run early on in the bottom of the first. However, his side came up short on the day in extra innings.
The Yankees take on the Guardians once again on Wednesday, needing a win to level the series. Fans in the Bronx will be hoping Juan Soto & Co. can get the job done and get back to winning ways, as they aim to avoid a fourth consecutive loss.
