Juan Soto is earning high praise from some of the biggest names in New York Yankees history as he continues to shine for the team this season.
The 25-year-old slugger has lived up to the hype for the Bombers and retired Yankees legends are openly hoping Soto will remain in the Bronx for the long haul.
“He looks great in pinstripes. I would love to see him here for a long time,” former catcher Jorge Posada said.
Soto has been a key contributor to the Yankees’ success, currently ranking second on the team in both home runs and RBIs.
His offensive production has been the perfect complement to Aaron Judge. The two sluggers form the most lethal combos in all of baseball.
Former Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia also praised the fit, calling Soto’s presence with the team “a match made in heaven.”
Soto has reportedly been in regular conversations with several Yankee icons, including Posada and Sabathia. Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez have also offered words of encouragement to Soto.
During the team’s recent Old Timers’ Day, Soto spoke with these legends, who are keen to convince him to remain a Yankee as he approaches free agency this offseason.
For the season, Soto is batting .290 with 38 home runs, 98 RBIs, 117 walks and a .998 OPS.
The Yankees, bolstered by Soto’s contributions alongside Judge, have surged to an 83-62 record.
While the season’s been a bit of a roller-coaster ride, the Yankees do hold a 1/2 game lead in the American League East and figure to be a tough out come October.
They’re regarded as one of the favorites to win the World Series – and Soto is a major reason why.
“He’s just like a metronome,” Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole said of Soto. “It’s the same look every day. It’s pretty rare. It’s really hard to do.
“But it’s a trait that a lot of great players, most great players, have. I think he takes it up to maybe another level. Puts his own kind of flair on it within the game. But he’s just so disciplined off the field.”
Despite the Yankees’ plans to resign Soto, other teams, including the crosstown rival Mets, are expected to compete for his services when he hits the free agent market.
Besides the Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers are seen as a dark-horse in the upcoming Soto sweepstakes.
For now, the Yankees are savoring every moment with Soto. Manager Aaron Boone expressed his desire to keep the star outfielder in the Bronx but remains focused on appreciating what Soto brings to the team this season.
“Of course I want it to be forever,” Boone said. “But you just try and appreciate it.”
In many ways, Soto seems like a perfect fit for the Yankees.
While he will surely break the bank, it goes without saying that Yankees fans will be absolutely furious if owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman let him walk in free agency – especially if it’s the Mets who snatch him up.
What are your thoughts on Soto? … Where do you think he will end up and what will the contract look like?
As far as the current season is concerned, do you think this is the year the Bombers finally break their long, cold World Series drought???