Juan Soto 'ready for offseason' with Call of Duty, using high-end controllers & a premium portable gaming case
Juan Soto's free agency is expected to attract plenty of suitors in the offseason following his career-best home run season with the New York Yankees that ended with a World Series loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
While teams are expected to engage in a bidding war for the signature of one of the most sought-after hitters in MLB, Juan Soto is relaxed in the offseason. He shared an Instagram story on Monday, highlighting his gaming setup.
"Ready for the offseason!" Soto wrote in the caption.
The photo in his story had a POGA's premium portable gaming case with several custom high-end PS5 controllers from SCUF as Juan Soto seemingly used the setup for a Call of Duty gaming session.
Soto was reportedly among the 13 free agents to receive a qualifying offer on Monday. The All-Star outfielder received a one-year, $21.05 million contract for the 2025 season before Monday's deadline. The Dominican superstar is expected to turn down the offer as he is seeking a blockbuster deal in free agency this offseason.
Juan Soto's free agency is expected to break records
Juan Soto's free agency is expected to garner record-breaking numbers with New York Post's Jon Heyman reporting it could be around the $700 million mark that Shohei Ohtani received last offseason.
Heyman reported that as many as 11 teams enquired about Soto after the Yankees' World Series heartbreak last Wednesday. While the Yankees are expected to offer a franchise record deal, that would eclipse captain Aaron Judge's nine-year, $360 million contract, teams could be willing to go further than that.
Given Soto is just 25 years of age and could give a decade of his prime to a team, his contract could be in the same region as Ohtani's. The Yankees have the payroll to match his demands, and city rivals, the New York Mets, who are also heavily linked with the star slugger, can splash the cash in the offseason.
While Soto emerged as a fan favorite during his stellar season with the Bronx Bombers, the one-time World Series winner is not giving preference to any team in free agency.
“We’re going to be available to every team. I feel like every team has the same opportunity,” Soto said after Game 5. “I don’t want to say anybody has the advantage because, at the end of the day, we’re going to look at what we have and how much they want me.”
If the Yankees can secure Soto's return to the Bronx, the fanbase will hope for another World Series charge next season after falling short in the Fall Classic this year.