The season for the New York Yankees ended in the worst way, with a tragic comedy of errors where they squandered a 5-0 lead over the Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series. The Los Angeles team turned the game around and ended up winning 7-6 to achieve their eighth title in Major League Baseball history.
Juan Soto was the last player to remain in the dugout after Wednesday night's defeat, watching the Dodgers celebrate at Yankee Stadium. He then followed his teammates into the clubhouse, perhaps for the last time.
Why could Juan Soto leave the Yankees?
"“I would love to see him in the pinstripes for a long time,” said captain Aaron Judge."
Aaron Boone thought in an even broader timeframe. "I hope he's here forever," the manager said.
The Dominican Soto signed a one-season contract for $30 million and has now become a free agent. According to various reports, he is seeking a $700 million contract, similar to the one Shohei Ohtani signed with the Dodgers last December.
Therefore, although Soto said he is open to listening to offers from all 30 teams in the league, it is likely that his market will be limited to big teams such as Yankees, Dodgers, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Boston Red Sox.
"I don't mean to say that nobody has any advantage because at the end of the day, we will see what they have and how much they love me," said Soto.
Is it a good idea for the Yankees to sign Soto?
Even though the Yankees have the capital to sign Soto for a historic contract, they also have other priorities if they want to end the 15-year World Series title drought in 2025, the second longest in their history behind the 17 seasons between 1979 and 1995.
A large part of the roster will change. Second baseman Gleyber Torres is also a free agent along with Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, and Tim Hill among the relievers, and left fielder Alex Verdugo. It is also likely that the Yankees will decline Anthony Rizzo's $17 million option. Gerrit Cole, the team's top pitcher, may choose to opt out of his contract, but New York can void it by adding a $36 million salary for 2029.
Due to their poor performance in the World Series, it wouldn't make sense for the Yankees to sign Holmes and Kahnle again.
New York has a weakness at the bottom of their batting order. Jazz Chisholm Jr., who arrived after being acquired from Miami in July, could replace Torres at second base. D.J. LeMahieu, previously very reliable, is coming off three consecutive seasons marked by injuries, and signed for two more years at 15 million each.
If Soto signs with the Yankees, it would once again force Judge to play center field in order to place the Dominican player on the right side of the outfield, a formula that did not look good against the Dodgers.