The 2023 MLB Free Agency was historic, marked by Shohei Ohtani’s move to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The upcoming 2024 free agency could see another major shift with New York Yankees‘ star Juan Soto entering the market. Recently, an MLB Insider highlighted a significant comment from Soto that might indicate his potential destination.
When asked which MLB star he would like to play alongside, Soto named Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani. This revelation led New York Post columnist Jon Heyman to suggest that Soto might leave New York for the West Coast this winter.
Despite enjoying his time with the Yankees and some belief that he prefers the East Coast, Soto was reportedly in serious talks with the Padres last summer, though discussions halted due to health issues of the Padres’ late owner, Peter Seidler.
Soto joined the Yankees in December 2023 after a two-year tenure with the Padres. His performance has been stellar, hitting 23 home runs, accumulating 66 RBIs, and maintaining a .985 OPS through 94 games. With a .295 batting average, Soto is a key player for the Yankees, who have been strong contenders in the AL East.
As the free agency period approaches, Soto’s future remains uncertain. If he continues his impressive performance and leads the Yankees to a deep playoff run, he might stay in the Bronx. However, as Heyman notes, his ultimate decision will likely depend on the financial offers he receives. Estimates suggest that Soto could command a contract around $500 million over several years, with predictions averaging an 11.6-year deal worth $482.2 million.
Potential suitors for Soto include not only the Yankees and Mets but also the Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants, and Toronto Blue Jays.
