The latest report on the New York Yankees’ pursuit of slugger Juan Soto claims the Bronx Bombers like their chances to land him in a trade.
New York Post reporter Jon Heyman said on his Around the Bases with Jon Heyman podcast that the Yankees “feel their chances are pretty good” at landing Soto, who is eligible for free agency after the 2024 season.
“They’re definitely talking to the Padres, there have been some names that have been thrown out there,” Heyman said. “San Diego has mentioned some big names … [Jasson] Domínguez is not going for a rental, no matter how good a rental Juan Soto is.
“I think the Yankees feel pretty good about this right now. I’m not saying they’re definitely getting him, but I think they like their chances because … the other teams do not seem to be heavily involved for Juan Soto right now. Teams do not seem to love the idea of rentals. They want a guy with at least two years.”
So the Yankees have the interest and the resources to land the three-time All-Star, but Heyman indicated the reason a Soto-to-Yankees deal makes the most sense is that no one else wants him for one year. Heyman didn’t think the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, two other possible destinations mentioned for Soto, make sense for various reasons.
“Right now, [the Yankees] feel their chances are pretty good, and it’s not only because they’re interested, but they’re kind of thinking, ‘Who else is going to do this?'” Heyman said.
Heyman’s take on Soto and the Yankees quickly went viral on X/Twitter.
I’ve reached a point where I expect Juan Soto to be a Yankee more than I expected Gerrit Cole to be a Yankee.
Don’t let me down, Cash. pic.twitter.com/A8HkttdTEY
— Max Mannis (@MaxMannis) December 1, 2023
Here are my three most confident landing spots in MLB offseason:
Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani
Yankees: Juan Soto
Blue Jays: Cody BellingerAs much as I want Ohtani on the Jays, I'd still be pretty shocked if it happened.
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) December 1, 2023
A.I. rendering of Juan Soto on his team in 2024. pic.twitter.com/ropoubUsyV
— RoboSukGoPadres (@DaddyUmpire) December 1, 2023
Me when I see a MLB reporter tweet “Juan Soto will get traded” for the 1764th time this week
— Devine Sports Gospel (@DevineGospel) December 1, 2023
Juan Soto is not a normal rental player. He's the most ideal fit in so many ways for New York. If the #Yankees pass because of prospect hugging, fans should actually riot
— Daniel Cunningham (@DC4213) December 1, 2023