"Juan Soto is not leaving New York" - Phillies analyst confident of Steve Cohen holding advantage over Hal Steinbrenner's Yankees in free agency
Juan Soto has been one of the best players in the postseason so far. The ultra-talented outfielder has been a driving force for the New York Yankees throughout the entire playoffs.
Even though his club is down 0-2 in the World Series, Soto himself has been excellent, posting a .429 batting average with a home run in two World Series games.
No matter what happens in the remainder of the World Series, Soto is going to remain one of the top names in the headlines thanks to his upcoming unrestricted free agency. At only 26-years-old, he is on the cusp of signing potentially one of the richest contracts in MLB history.
Soto's future has been the topic of many conversations across the MLB universe with many experts and analysts predciting where he could land and how mcuh he could sign for.
While some teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants have been mentioned as potential landing spots, analyst Jim Salisbury believes that the slugger's future will be in the Big Apple.
"Unless he has this enthusiatic desire to be in Philadelphia, I think the Yankees and the Mets are going to throw it all down to try to get him. He's succeeded this year in New York and I see him staying there [4:15]," Jim Salisbury said on the latest episode of PHLY Sports.
It remains to be seen what will happen with the World Series. Even though the Los Angeles Dodgers (who are rumored to be in the market for Soto) hold a commanding 2-0 lead, the New York Yankees could turn things around and bring home their 28th World Series title. That being said, Jim Salisbury believes that the outcome of the World Series will not play a factor in Juan Soto's free agency.
"We talked about it when Bryce Harper was hitting the market. A 26-year-old, this good, in their prime doesn't happen very often. I'm with you, he's not leaving New York [8:55]," Host Jamie Lynch said.
Steve Cohen's pursuit of Juan Soto could apply major pressure on Hal Steinbrenner and the Yankees front office
There is no doubting that Juan Soto will command one of the most lucrative contracts in MLB history. There have been a number of different numbers that experts believe that Soto could secure when he hits the open market, with some going as high as $600 million.
"Steve Cohen is the richest owner in sports, if he does wiggle away from the Yankees, I don't see him letting $30-50 million stopping Steve Cohen from getting his guy... I don't think the Mets are going to let him get out of New York [4:49]," Lynch said of Juan Soto's future in New York.
This incredible number is something that could give New York Mets owner Steve Cohen an advantage over his competitors.
"My early-on prediction is who ever is willing to sign the biggest check is going to get him, and they are both very capable of signing a huge check [8:00]," Jim Salisbury continued.
According to Forbes, Cohen has a $21.3 billion net worth and will not be hesistant to pay up if it means bringing Juan Soto to the New York Mets.