When news broke last week that Juan Soto rejected a massive contract extension from the Washington Nationals and the Nats will now listen to trade offers for the young superstar, surely every fan in New York’s mouth began to water.
While both the Yankees and Mets have strong outfields in 2022, adding a superstar the caliber of Soto is a move you almost have to make – especially if, say, you’re a team whose own transcendent star outfielder is heading into free agency next winter.
Soto has two more years left of team control (at $17.1 million or more, based on his 2022 salary), but it seems like his time in DC is going to end sooner than later…although maybe not TOO soon in Boomer’s eyes.
“It’s unlikely it happens before the trade deadline – I think it’s going to be in the offseason, or maybe not even until next year’s trade deadline,” Boomer said. “The Nationals tried to do this (contract extension) last year and now this year, and I think now the Nationals realize it’s not going to happen, he doesn’t want to be there – and listening to Max Scherzer talk about his former teammate makes you think ‘go get this guy if you can.’”
So, of course, both Boomer & Gio, as Mets fans, would want Steve Cohen to strike ASAP.
“The Mets have plenty of prospects, including two more good ones last night, and they can pay him, which is the big thing,” Boomer said. “The Rangers and Angels were out there, and I would think the Giants, Cubs, and Dodgers will be in the mix.”
The only thing Gio is worried about? The time when unlimited money isn’t exactly unlimited.
“I do believe Steve Cohen will blow through luxury taxes, but there are thresholds, and sometimes, when you get to these higher thresholds, it becomes prohibitive even for a guy like Steve Cohen,” Gio said. “In that instance, you’re basically funding other teams with the taxes and the revenue sharing.”
Salary could be the hang-up for both New York teams, as it seems?
“Jacob deGrom, does he come back, look like Cy Young, and opt out and look for a gigantic extension?” Gio asked. “Aaron Judge, is he going to get paid by the Yankees? I think those two situations are going to play into whether the Mets or Yankees are going to look to bring in a guy like Soto, who is going to be looking for close to $500 million.”
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The boys then discussed how so many stars have left the Nationals in the last few years, and how the Yankees may be at that point – and that begs the question: would you rather have Soto or Judge for the next decade?
“Soto, no question,” Boomer said quickly.
“How awkward would that be if the Yankees traded for Soto, and that meant they weren’t going to re-sign Judge at the end of the year?” Gio asked.
Boomer’s response?
“It’s a game everybody has to play. Aaron Judge bet on himself and is having a great year, and I still think they want Aaron Judge,” he said. “They may sniff around Soto to keep their fans happy, I just don’t see them having both of those players.”
The only thing we know is Juan Soto is going somewhere, and as Gio said, with Scott Boras as his agent, he’s going to want a new deal right away as soon as he gets traded, arbitration be damned.
Follow WFAN's morning team on Twitter: @7BOOMERESIASON, @GioWFAN, @Alsboringtweets, @JerryRecco, and @WFANMornings
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