"Lived up to every stitch of it" - MLB analyst lauds Juan Soto, credits Yankees GM for acquiring superstar slugger from Padres
Former player and current MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa believes Juan Soto has fully delivered upon the promise when he joined the New York Yankees in the previous offseason. DeRosa also applauded the Yankees general manager Brian Cashman for taking the initiative to trade for the left-handed slugger from the San Diego Padres before he becomes a free agent in 2025.
Mark DeRosa played for eight different teams over 16 years in the major leagues and spent nearly half of his career with the Atlanta Braves. He is currently working as a studio analyst for MLB Network. DeRosa was also the manager of the USA national team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
On Saturday, Mark DeRosa offered his thoughts on Juan Soto and the Yankees during the MLB Central show on the official network.
"Everything that [is about] the peak and valley of the season. They were the best team in baseball, and then we got worried about them," DeRosa said.
"The move from Brian Cashman to go get Juan Soto just made so much sense. And he's lived up to every stich of it," he added.
Soto is arguably producing his best season in the MLB after joining the Yankees on a one-year, $31 million deal prior to hitting free agency for the first time. The 25-year-old has provided some much-needed support to Aaron Judge at the top of the Yankees lineup this year. At present, Soto is batting .288/.419/.577 for the season with a 179 OPS+ and a career-high 40 home runs.
Juan Soto's future with Yankees still up in the air
Brian Cashman deserves all the credit for bringing Juan Soto to the Bronx as the New York Yankees seek to end a 15-year drought for a World Series crown. Soto has become an instant hit with the Yankees fans, who are craving for the slugger to sign an extension with the team. Whether Cashman decides to fork out a colossal sum to keep Soto at Yankee Stadium remains to be seen.
In 2022, Juan Soto had reportedly rejected a 15-year, $440 million extension from the Washington Nationals prior to joining the San Diego Padres. He is represented by super agent Scott Boras, who is expected to secure a deal in the region of $550 million for the slugger during his impending free agency.
Despite the jaw-dropping sum involved, quite a few teams should be lining up to sign Soto in the next offseason. The Yankees are regarded as the favorites to do so, but they will still need to offer a massive sum to keep him in the Bronx for the long term.