The Juan Soto sweepstakes are in full swing, with his latest stop being a meeting with the New York Yankees.
As the top free agent this winter, Soto is taking each visit seriously, weighing a potential $600–$700 million contract. According to Fox Sports’ Deesha Thosar, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner revealed that Soto had in-depth questions about the team’s player development pipeline.
“I just think he didn’t really spend any time at our player development complex. He’s asking this about all the clubs, I’m sure. He just wants to know about the different systems, the different players, the pipeline, and all of that.”
Hal Steinbrenner said Soto had questions about the Yankees’ player development process during their meeting in California. Steinbrenner said: “I just think he didn’t really spend any time at our player development complex. He’s asking this about all the clubs, I’m sure. He just…
— Deesha (@DeeshaThosar) November 20, 2024
Soto is playing the long game.
According to MLB Pipeline, the Yankees run around the middle of the pack (18) in farm system rankings but dropped significantly heading into the 2024 season. Outfielder Jasson Domínguez is making a strong comeback from Tommy John surgery and is a top-15 prospect in all of baseball.
That coincides with the possible $600-$700 million contract the 26-year-old is projected to make. There are significant years attached to that. He wants to know what he’s signing up for in the long run. There are also reports none of that money would be deferred, as opposed to what two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani was contracted with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason.
The New York Mets also met with Soto and owner Steve Cohen, who is known for his deep pockets, reportedly put on a detailed production when hosting the four-time All-Star.
Yankees play-by-play voice Michael Kay said not only does he believe the Yankees aren’t willing to go toward the astronomical price to obtain Soto, but he heard from someone in baseball, “Cohen is willing to go $50 million over whatever anybody offers.”
Kay says Cohen is wiling to go $50 million over whatever anyone else offers Juan Soto, and he doesn’t think the Yanks will be near the $660 million for 15 years that Carlos Baerga said was on the table pic.twitter.com/QjedLqfgWb
— Jonny’s Lasagna ⚾️ (@JLasagna43) November 18, 2024
Soto finished his 2024 campaign with his fourth All-Star selection, hitting 41 home runs, slashing .288/.419/.569.
He’s also been in multiple MVP conversations across his seven-year career.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.