ESPN: Yankees’ All-Star outfielder Juan Soto set to become the highest paid player, more than the team captain Aaron Judge.
According to Boomer Esiason, a former quarterback for the New York Jets and current host of WFAN radio, the Yankees are unable to pay All-Star outfielder Juan Soto more per season than team captain Aaron Judge, who signed a nine-year, $360 million contract to remain with the team in December 2022. This theory was recently shared by Ryan Chichester of Audacy.
As it turns out, Soto is still on schedule to become a free agent this autumn, so Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner might not have an issue with that.
MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post explained in several pieces published on Thursday that “a few agents suggested they believe the Yankees would prefer to limit Soto’s annual salary to Judge’s $40M, though Soto will be 4.5 years younger for free agency, and it’s unlikely the win-obsessed Judge minds being the second-highest paid Yankee.” “I don’t believe that’s the case, anyway.”
Regarding Soto’s immediate future, the one thing that is definite is that he will not be giving the Yankees any kind of incentive to sign an agreement before going free. That makes sense, as his next contract will probably only get more valuable every week.
Soto started Friday in fifth place in the MLB overall with 34 home runs, sixth place with 87 RBI, fifth place with a.307 batting average, and second place (behind Aaron Judge at 1.174) with a 1.052 OPS, according to ESPN statistics. As for MLB action on Thursday, the Yankees, who are 72-50, and the Baltimore Orioles shared first place in the American League East standings at the close of play.
Some have been linking Soto to the New York Mets since the beginning of the season, presumably on the off chance that big-budget Mets owner Steve Cohen may be open to giving the slugger, who turns 26 in October, a blank check to become the team’s face. In the contest for the last National League wild-card playoff place, the 62-59 Mets were behind the Atlanta Braves by two games as of Friday afternoon.
Regarding the Mets’ anticipated pursuit of Soto, Heyman noted, “Steve Cohen provides their edge, and they’ve strategized to clear payroll via expiring contracts.” “But they might need to significantly outbid their crosstown rival.”
Heyman asked “13 experts” what kind of free agent deal Soto might be able to sign. According to one person, the deal might be worth a guaranteed $600 million over a 12-year period.
But in order to prevent Soto from signing with the Mets or any other team, Steinbrenner could have to pay a salary that he considers “not sustainable,” as he had previously assured fans he wouldn’t do.
