How many games does someone need to play on a new team before you can judge if they’re worth a big-money extension? Some would argue seasons, maybe an other-worldly 162-game stretch that ends with a World Series title. But how about 5 games? That’s the amount Juan Soto has taken part in since joining the Yankees, and he’s looked like the superstar he’s been advertised to be. In just twelve at-bats, he’s hitting .583 and has three home runs, five extra-base hits, and seven RBIs. Those numbers are hard to come by in rookie mode in a video game (trust me, I’ve tried). But it’s not only that. He’s bought into the Yankee culture, talked glowingly about being able to wear the Pinstripes, and developed a strong friendship with the beloved Captain, Aaron Judge.
The Yankees Need to Extend Juan Soto’s Long-Term
The (Possible) $500 Million Man
Only March and Soto have cemented himself as an integral part of the team. But does his track record justify him getting a possible $500 million contract? Believe it or not, the answer is a resounding yes.
The Stats
It’s hard to believe that Juan Soto has been in the league for six years already, but it’s even more unbelievable that he’s still only 25. For many pro players, they’re still in arbitration at that point in their career, not on the brink of free agency. But he’s never been just a regular player. Since getting promoted at 19, he’s been a phenom. Usually, in the MVP conversation, he’s also secured three All-Stars and Silver Sluggers in his short tenure. Analysts have revered him for his bat-on-ball skills, but his eye makes him one of the most dangerous hitters in the game. He has never had a sub .400 OBP in his career.
Yes, he gets on base two out of every five times. If this were Moneyball, Brad Pitt would point to Jonah Hill and say, “He gets on base.”
Soto is already a World Series champion and a perennial top-10 hitter in the sport. His fielding might be questionable, but his batting approach is sustainable. If you can secure his services for the next 10+ years, it’s a no-brainer—no matter how much money it costs.
The Stardom
Then there’s the matter of why he makes sense in New York. In the world’s media capital, it’s not uncommon to see great players become shells of themselves under the spotlight. Joey Gallo, Sonny Gray, and others had trouble finding their groove under media scrutiny. But every once in a while, a star thrives in the pressure and transforms into a sensation. I believe Juan Soto is one of those players. I can’t, in good conscience, say that he can handle the pressure because he’s succeeded in the D.C. and San Diego markets, but I will say it is about how he carried himself on the biggest stage, the World Series. Against the Astros, he hit three home runs, batted .333, and had an OBP of .438.
But his performance was more than just the numbers he put on a show. When he faced the Cy-Young winner Justin Verlander in a win-or-go-home game 6, he didn’t even think twice about doing the Soto Shuffle. The end result, well…
For someone to show such swagger in a moment that most people would cave in, I don’t know what to tell you; the dude’s just special.
Will A Contract Happen?
It’ll all come down to finances. To make it happen, the Yankees would have to increase their already high payroll and figure out how to afford to pay Judge, Cole, and Soto all long-term big-money contracts. But the name of the game is winning, right? The Yankees know that better than anyone with 27 World Series titles, and if history does teach us lessons, then the 90’s Bombers laid the blueprint on how to get back to Titletown. You need to pay the players who will give you the best chance at a trophy, no matter the number.
Juan Soto is that player.
Main Photo Credits: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
