New York Yankees’ Juan Soto remains fully focused on the playoffs, despite the looming possibility of a significant offseason contract.
Though Soto is aware that a decision about his future is inevitable, he intends to postpone it for as long as possible. The four-time All-Star, expected to be a top free agent this offseason, could be looking at a contract potentially worth up to $500 million. Still, before the Yankees’ 3-2 victory over the Royals in Game 3 of the AL Division Series, Soto made it clear that his agent, Scott Boras, is handling all contract negotiations.
“At the end of the day, I just try to focus on the game,” said Soto, who made contributions with a sacrifice fly, two walks, and a run scored.
“Like you said, I love this game, and I’ve been playing this game since I was a kid. I’m here more about the game — trying to win, trying to find a way to win — and trying to help the team.”
Soto’s impressive performance this season has only raised his value. He finished the season with a .288 average, 41 home runs, and 109 RBIs, leading the league with 128 runs scored, all of which played a vital role in the Yankees clinching the AL East title.
Earlier in the season, Soto suggested he might consider contract talks with the Yankees during the season, but it now seems those discussions will likely be postponed until after the playoffs, depending on the ALDS results.
“The whole free agent talks and everything, I just leave that to my agent, let him handle it, and I just come every day to play baseball and to enjoy the game I love,” Soto said, recalling his 2019 World Series win with the Nationals.
“That really makes it really easy for me. I just play baseball. That’s all I do.”
Soto had previously declined a $440 million, 15-year contract with the Nationals before being traded to the Padres in August 2022. The Padres reached the National League Championship Series that year but failed to make the playoffs last season, despite their high payroll. This year, they’re back in the playoffs, but Soto isn’t with them, as he was traded to the Yankees in a seven-player deal last December.
“When you put that jersey on and those pinstripes, it just feels different. Like you say, there’s so much history and everything, so many fans all over the world that we have, it’s just incredible,” Soto said.
“Everywhere you go, the fans are there waiting for you, cheering for you, wishing you the best, and you feel that. You feel that in every aspect.”
This strong bond with the fans might be a reason for Soto’s possible return to the Yankees next season, alongside the team’s financial flexibility. His teammate Aaron Judge set a record in 2022 by signing a $360 million, nine-year deal with the Yankees, a record soon surpassed by Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers.
Soto, however, doesn’t seem concerned about reaching similar figures.
“No, no, I always keep that to my agent,” he said. “Even in my house and everything, we never even talk about that. We keep it simple — just come here, enjoy the moment, enjoy where we’re at, and we’ll see what happens.”
