`"Yankees put up an offer" U.S. media reports Soto's $700 million realization mood...Snell missed it, but later on, "Plan B"

Nov 28, 2024

The New York Yankees reportedly raised the terms of the contract they first proposed to Juan Soto. Soto is interviewing after winning the first ALCS game against the Cleveland Guardians on the 16th (Korea time). AP Yonhap News

Yankees owner Steinbrenner who will

holds the AL trophy. AFP Yonhap News

With Juan Soto, the FA's biggest fish, in the second round of the FA Tour, the price has begun to soar. The $700 million contract seems to be becoming a reality.

This is because the original New York Yankees collected the first offer and offered new contract terms that increased the amount. There is no way that rival clubs will stand still.

MLB Network reporter John Heyman reported on the 28th (Korea Standard Time) that `the Yankees made an offer to upgrade the initial conditions to FA outfielder Juan Soto in the last two days``````.

However, Hayman said the specific amount was not known.

He said the `Yankees are making clear how they can hold onto their top target, but I understand this derby, which many are paying attention to, is only halfway through. The situation is fluid and more than four other clubs have a chance to become winners this winter.'

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner flew to Newport Beach, California, on the 19th, accompanied by President Rand Levein, General Manager Brian Cashman and Manager Aaron Boone, and met with Soto and agent Scott Boras for the first round of negotiations. It seems that he made the first proposal at the time. The Yankees, which have since identified the movements of rival clubs, are believed to have recently raised their conditions.

Shortly after the first round of negotiations, Steinbrenner said "A contract with Soto is our club's top priority. Otherwise, it would not have gone all the way to the West. We have the ability to sign whatever players we want," he said, expressing confidence.

Blake Snell reportedly signed with the Dodgers, shaking off the Yankees' offer. AP Yonhap News

However, the Yankees, whose priority is to renew contract with Soto in the FA market, are also aiming to strengthen their starters. The Yankees seem to be very nervous as news broke that left-hander Blake Snell signed a five-year, $182 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers the previous day. In fact, the Yankees also contacted Snell on the same day, but they were lost to the Dodgers because they could not find an agreement.

Reporter Heyman said, `The Yankees have a negotiating table with Corbin Burns and Max Fried, but they are still focused on Soto and have not made any specific offers to the two pitchers.' `If Soto goes to the Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox, Blue Jays or an unknown club, he will be able to meet them in Plan B.'

There has been no disclosure of how much the Yankees and other clubs have offered Soto, but local media say there are clubs willing to pay at least $600 million. Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract with the Dodgers will be executed 10 years later with 'deferrals' that do not generate interest, so 'present price' will be lowered to $460 million. However, Soto is expected to spend more than $600 million without a grace period.

Reporter Hayman says 'Soto seems interested in a 15-year contract that guarantees up to the age of 40, which guarantees a high average annual salary (AAV) for short-term contracts, but rather, there is a possibility that it will include provisions to exercise opt-outs in the middle of ultra-long-term contracts. The Yankees told Soto that they were willing to opt out, but other clubs are expected to agree to the policy, so there is no comparative advantage for the Yankees.

In other words, opt-out is a condition that cannot highlight differentiation.

The New York Mets, who are mentioned as Soto's leading destination along with the Yankees, are known to be willing to pay $50 million more than other clubs' offers unconditionally, and Boston, Dodgers and Toronto are also seriously seeking to recruit Soto, so contracts worth more than $700 million cannot be ruled out.