"'If you know the future, you'll buy a lottery ticket.'" Soto's margin, '500 million, Yankees-Metz-PHI-Boston-Cubs-Washington contest'
Jul 16, 2024
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Soto attended the All-Star Game Media Day event on the 16th (Korea time) and said in an interview with local media that `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"Who knows what's going to happen next year?"
Still, he didn't talk about the FA contract. His agent is Scott Boras. Although there is a high possibility of staying in the Yankees, as it is related to money, a large number of big market clubs aiming to win are expected to rush when the FA market opens later this year.
Soto was traded to the San Diego Padres shortly after rejecting a proposed 15-year, $440 million contract by the Washington Nationals in July 2022. 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 said "It's a bit inconvenient to change teams in a few different uniforms (for years). I look forward to wearing a uniform for a long time" he said. Interestingly, it is the first time that Soto, who is considered the best hitter in existence, will start the All-Star Game.
When asked about the possibility of staying with the Yankees, Soto then asked "Which player wouldn't want to play for the winning team? I hope I can play for the winning team and be a part of that team." In other words, the Yankees are also a candidate who can sign a contract.
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Judge became an FA after setting a record for most home runs in an AL season in 2022 and re-signed with the Yankees for nine years and $360 million after a month-long negotiating tour.
Soto had a batting average of 0.295 (101 hits in 342 at-bats), 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 in 94 games in the first half. 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.
ESPN said `Soto, who established himself as a sure-fire superstar in baseball in October ahead of the '26 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.
jhno@sportschosun.com
