Juan Soto is absolutely loving his first two months as a member of the New York Yankees, and with free agency on tap for him next offseason, you have to wonder if he will even consider signing anywhere else (although he will be mighty expensive).
During a sitdown interview with Harold Reynolds of MLB Network, Soto explained why he has been thriving in New York, a place where so many others have failed.
The Dominican native said that the large amount Dominican people in the area has certainly made him feel more comfortable, and his teammates have also played a significant role in easing him into Pinstripes.
He added that the fans are “crazy game in and game out.”
Soto has certainly endeared himself to Yankees fans early on in his stay in the Bronx.
It's hard to imagine Juan Soto leaving the Yankees
It hasn't taken long for Soto win the hearts of the Yankees faithful, and the torrid start he has gotten off to has certainly played a huge role in that.
Through 52 games this season, Soto is slashing .312/.409/.563 with 13 home runs and 41 RBI. He has been incredibly consistent throughout the year and has also gotten plenty of big hits for a New York squad that is 35-17 and sits in first place in the AL East.
The Yankees' early success can definitely be largely attributed to Soto's dominance.
Not only has he been phenomenal at the plate, but he has also been outstanding in the field, boasting an 8.5 UZR/150.
Soto has never been known for his defensive prowess. As a matter of fact, he was historically a bad outfielder before being traded to New York. Last year with the San Diego Padres, for example, Soto posted a minus-1.6 UZR/150 and a minus-6 DRS. Up until this season, he had only registered a positive UZR once in his career.
Perhaps it's the fact that Soto is in a contract year that is making him bust it in the field. Or, maybe he loves the Big Apple so much that it has brought the best out of him. Of course, it could also be a combination of both.
Whatever the case may be, it's working for Soto.
Soto may end up landing a contract in excess of $500 million in free agency, but it seems hard to envision him playing for anyone other than the Yankees in 2025. He has already said he would even be open to negotiating a midseason extension with the club after Hal Steinbrenner made the suggestion.
The 25-year-old has clearly ingratiated himself to the fans in the Bronx, and while teams like the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers may also have deep pockets and could be preparing gargantuan offers for the superstar, it will probably take an awful lot to pry him away from the Yankees.
Soto began his career with the Washington Nationals in 2018 and won a World Series with the club as soon as his second season. He was traded to the Padres midway through the 2022 campaign. San Diego then dealt him to New York this past offseason as a result of knowing it would not be able to retain him in free agency.
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