When Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sent five players to the San Diego Padres to acquire Juan Soto this offseason, they knew that there was a possibility they were only getting the prodigious 25-year-old slugger for a single season.
The chants of “re-sign Soto” that went echoing around Yankee Stadium on Sunday during the 10-3 win over the Colorado Rockies were the latest sign that this may end up being just an incredible one-year cameo in pinstripes.
Through 127 games, Soto has done nothing to hurt the possibility he will sign one of the richest contracts in the history of sports when he hits free agency this offseason, with 37 home runs 95 RBI while slashing .299/.429/.606 for a 1.035 OPS, after launching another dinger in the win.
And the only reason he is not seen as a possible runaway MVP candidate is that Aaron Judge, with two homers to put him on pace for a record-breaking 63, is already a shoo-in.
When asked about the fans’ request, Soto cracked a broad smile and said, “I don’t know. They have to talk to Cashman.”
Whether the GM or owner Hal Steinbrenner heard the chants – which cropped up in variations that included “please stay Soto” and “please sign Soto” – it is certain Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, will be using them for leverage when the offseason hits.
Soto left no hints about his plans, after being asked if he hopes it works out and he stays in New York, said, playfully, “I’ll tell you that in spring training.”
Manager Aaron Boone, who said he was a bit distracted by it, found them “pretty cool.”
“It’s obviously a tribute to somebody that came here with a lot of fanfare and a lot of expectations and has been every bit and then some as advertised,” the Yanks’ skipper said. “Certainly, the fan base has embraced him and he’s embraced them right back.”
Judge, who was seen clapping his hands and mouthing along to some of the chants, admitted to getting involved in the Bronx faithful’s pleas.
“The fans are excited and they’ve got every right to be, he’s an incredible player who’s done a lot for us this year and I think they definitely want to see a lot more of that to come,” he said.
Of course, Judge, who signed a nine-year, $360 million deal to stay in New York after he hit free agency following the 2022 season, said he will allow his outfielder partner to make whatever decision he feels is best for him.
“It’s gonna be his decision in the end and what’s best for his family,” he said. “So, we can only do what we can from the chants.”
However, the slugger said that at the end of the season, he will try and spend some time with Soto before heading into the offseason for a conversation about staying in New York.
