"A player you want to be a colleague with?" In response to the question, Soto "Otani is the best player", I heard that the market price has already exceeded Ohtani...Will LAD buy it
Jul 17, 2024
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This is what New York Yankees Juan Soto said in an interview at the All-Star Game Media Day on the 16th (Korea time). "Is there a player you want to be on the same team someday?" was the answer to the question.
Soto, who moved from the San Diego Padres to the Yankees through a trade in December last year, has been asking FA-related questions "I focus on baseball and only focus on winning the Yankees." Ask the agent such a question," he said in a cold response.
However, he is coming up with his thoughts relatively honestly for the All-Star Game.
Soto continued "If you know my future, I will buy a lottery ticket. No one knows the future. Until a decision is made, I want to enjoy this moment and represent the New York Yankees.
At the same time, "Who knows what will happen next year?" It was a bit inconvenient to change teams in a few different uniforms (over the years). I look forward to wearing a uniform for a long time"It clearly revealed its plans to sign a long-term contract with a specific club in the FA market at the end of this year.
It is not known whether to renew the contract with the Yankees or choose a prestigious club with a winning history like the Dodgers led by Ohtani, but a fierce battle has already been predicted for him.
ESPN responded, "'Soto, who established a solid superstar position in baseball in October with tremendous power ahead of the 26-year-old season, has had an unprecedented career. It would make him get an offer worth $500 million, and predicted that the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Washington Nationals would compete with the Yankees in the Soto scramble.
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Earlier in July 2022, Soto was traded to the San Diego Padres shortly after rejecting a proposed 15-year, $440 million contract by the Washington Nationals. After playing for a year and a half, he wore a Yankees uniform through a trade once again in December last year. This means that he has been selected as an All-Star every year since 2021 and played in three different uniforms.
Soto continues his career high-class performance in his first season in the Yankees uniform. In 94 games in the first half, he played a batting average of 0.295 (101 hits in 342 times at bat), 23 home runs, 66 RBIs, 75 runs, 79 walks, an on-base percentage of 0.426, a slugging percentage of 0.558 and an OPS of 0.984. He ranks seventh in batting average, fourth in home runs, fourth in RBIs, second in runs scored, second in on-base percentage, fifth in slugging percentage, and second in OPS. The walk is the number one in both leagues.
The AL MVP is sure to be Aaron Judge, his teammate, if it's the current situation. However, Soto's contribution to the team is also not easy. If you look at the bWAR, Judge ranks first with 6.4, and Soto ranks fifth with 5.0.
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Experts believe that Soto's market value will be higher than Ohtani's. Ohtani's 10-year $700 million contract last winter will be reduced to $460 million in terms of current value (現價) because 97.1% of the total amount will be paid in 10 years. Local media predict that Soto's starting point for negotiations will be at the current price of more than $500 million.
It is hard to imagine the Dodgers, who spent more than $1 billion on recruiting outside players last offseason, spending astronomical amounts again, but there is no reason to refuse Soto to win. If Soto signs with the Dodgers, it will be the fourth team in his career.
jhno@sportschosun.com
