Ex-Marlins President cites "Braves won World Series & Freddie Freeman went to Dodgers," doubting Juan Soto's Yankees future even with Fall Classic win
Juan Soto's impending free agency has put the New York Yankees in a tough spot where they will be desperate to sign his services for the long term, knowing there will be stiff competition from other teams in the league.
While some might argue a lot depends on the star winning the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, insider David Samson feels there is no direct relation to both the events.
On his "Nothing Personal with David Samson" podcast, the former Marlins President discussed how Freddie Freeman, despite winning the World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 2021, signed with the Dodgers during his free agency.
"I am watching Freddie Freeman trying to win his second ring. Don't forget he won it in Atlanta. Everyone's saying if the Yankees win the World Series they have to re-sign Soto. Of course, I believe the Braves won the World Series in 2021 and then Freddie Freeman went to the Dodgers. So there is a world where the Yankees win the World Series and Soto doesn't re-sign with them. There is no correlation between winning the World Series and then re-signing," Samson said. [5:15]
It might be argued, however, the Braves pushed to extend Freeman for a long stretch. In 2021 offseason, the talks between the club and the player fell through after a deadlock regarding the duration of the contract.
In the end, the infielder settled with a six-year, $162 million contract in Los Angeles. It is expected that unless certain deadlocks occur, the Yankees will give their all in reacquiring Soto's services.
Juan Soto almost certain to receive $500 million contract, per Ken Rosenthal
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, on the "Foul Territory" podcast, claimed that Juan Soto is almost guaranteed to be receiving offers in excess of $500 million.
He stated that even though the 25-year-old might not be on the mound like Shohei Ohtani, the age and his performances might push for a large contract sum.
“Who knows where the number goes,” Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic said. “But I do remember at one point… writing that Soto was going to be $500 million. And I got a whole host of comments,' you're crazy, he doesn't pitch like (Shohei) Ohtani. There's no way he's getting as much.' Well, guess what? He's getting as much.”
The Yankees are expected to receive competition from the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants in their pursuit of keeping one of the hottest names in the sport in the Bronx.