The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to "strongly pursue" outfielder Juan Soto in free-agency and Soto says his current team, the New York Team, has no advantage.
"I feel like every team has the same opportunities when I'm going to free agency," Soto said after losing Game 5 of the World Series in Wednesday. "I don't want to say anybody has an advantage, because at the end of the day, we're gonna look at what they have."
In a campaign that started with being the hero on Opening Day by gunning down the potential tying run at the plate in Houston, Soto enjoyed a career year that included a career-high 41 home runs, top-notch protection for Aaron Judge, a Gold Glove finalist, a 1.102 OPS in the playoffs, and one of the biggest home runs in recent Yankee playoff history in the clinching game five of the ALCS.
All that was missing from Soto’s first season was a championship, as the Yanks came three wins short of accomplishing that. Now, all attention turns toward whether the now free agent will be back for the long haul.
“We gotta sit down and look at it whenever we have a chance with my agent and everything,” Soto said. “We'll see what we're gonna do.
“It's going to be exciting. It's gonna be a good experience, I think. Every player in the big leagues wants to experience how it's gonna be in free agency. Excited to see how it’s gonna be.”
In what could be his only time as a free agent, Soto is expected to command a record contract that some project will eclipse $600 million. The Yankees are expected to be among the top suitors, as are the crosstown rival Mets, as Steve Cohen could be ready to break the bank after his team’s surprising run to the NLCS. Soto says every team will have an equal chance, and doesn’t agree with the idea that he prefers to stay in New York over seeing what other teams have to offer.
“I don't think so,” Soto said. “I'm really happy with the city, with the team, how these guys do. But at the end of the day, we’ll see. We're gonna look at every situation, every offer that we get and take the decision from there.”
The 94WIP Afternoon Show with Ike Reese, Spike Eskin and Jack Fritz began their "Sacrifice for Soto" campaign on Wednesday.
"All it takes is money," Eskin said. "It just takes money. The Yankees are dying to have someone outspend them for Juan Soto so they don't have to spend that money...He will leave for whoever pays him the most money. His agent is Scott Boras, who is the same agent that Bryce Harper has. The Phillies are friendly with Scott Boras, he's played with Bryce, he's played with Trea Turner."