(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Star outfielder Juan Soto will become a free agent after the 2024 World Series, and is setting himself up for one of the largest contracts in baseball history.
That means he will be able to negotiate with all teams once the season is over.
Until then, there is only one team with negotiating rights: the New York Yankees, his current employer.
For years, the Washington Nationals and the San Diego Padres sent over extension offers and they were all rebuffed by the player and his agency.
He even turned down $400+ million proposals, which makes one wonder how much will he sign for.
The chances of an extension are slim, but the Yankees have an opportunity and the player seems to be encouraging them to approach him.
“Juan Soto is welcoming contract talks,” Talkin’ Yanks tweeted, with more Soto quotes.
“My door is always open”, he said, per Greg Joyce of the New York Post.
Juan Soto is welcoming contract talks pic.twitter.com/EaekvN3ZZt
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) May 16, 2024
He could be a tough one to extend, but the Yankees do need to take advantage of their exclusive negotiating rights and present him a solid offer.
Once the open market hits, Soto’s price could soar and the player knows that, which is why he is unlikely to sign an extension.
Still, the organization also expressed a desire to negotiate, per B/R Walk-Off.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner says he plans to engage Scott Boras this season for Juan Soto contract talks pic.twitter.com/1pZ8hgOEST
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) May 16, 2024
Soto is having a remarkable season with the Yanks, slashing a solid .310/.408/.530 with nine home runs, 34 RBI, and a .938 OPS.
He is unlikely to match Shohei Ohtani’s deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but could sign one in excess of $500 million.
Could the Yankees extend him before he even becomes a free agent?
Stay tuned.
The post Juan Soto Suggests He Is Open To Extension Talks appeared first on The Cold Wire.