Jorge Castillo, ESPN Writer Nov 11, 2024, 12:54pm ET
Close ESPN Baseball Reporter. He covered the Washington Wizards from 2014 to 2016 and the Washington Nationals from 2016 to 2018 for The Washington Post before covering the Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB for the Los Angeles Times from 2018 to 2024.
NEW YORK – Now that Aaron Boone knows he will return to the New York Yankees as manager for the 2025 season, his focus will be on convincing Juan Soto to join him.
Boone confirmed Monday that he will join a Yankees delegation — led by owner Hal Steinbrenner — that will travel to California next week to meet with Soto, the top free agent this winter. Soto is also scheduled to meet with the New York Mets, which includes owner Steve Cohen.
“Obviously what Juan has done between the lines this year has been very special,” said Boone, whose club option for the 2025 season was tried last week. “But, at the same time, I liked this guy. He was a real pleasure to get to know and deal with. So, I’ll be there next week. I would definitely like to have him back. Obviously I want him.” In the pencil case go ahead.”
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Combined, Soto’s age, he turned 26 during the World Series, and his hitting prowess make him undoubtedly the most coveted position player in free agency since Alex Rodriguez in 2000. He is expected to sign a contract worth up to $500 million, perhaps exceeding Shohei Ohtani’s by a significant amount. big. Deferral of $700 million deal at deferral-adjusted AAV and current total value.
The Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies are among other potential landing spots, but the Mets and Yankees are widely considered the favorites, sources told ESPN.
“Who knows where it will end up,” Boone said. “All I know is that we will try to do our best and hope that Juan comes back. But I also know that no matter what happens, I am confident that the Steinbrenner family and the front office will do everything in their power to put us in a position to have another strong team, another strong team.” “He has a chance to compete for the championship.”
Soto flourished in his only season in New York. Traded along with Trent Gresham from the San Diego Padres to the Yankees for five players last December, Soto has authored a dream deck for a year. The right-hander hit a career-high 41 home runs while finishing second in the majors behind teammate Aaron Judge in on-base percentage, third in OPS, third in wRC+ and fourth in fWAR during the regular season.
He continued his excellence in October. His go-ahead, three-run home run in the 10th inning of Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, sent the Yankees to the World Series for the first time since 2009. He then went 5-for-16 with seven walks and a home run in the World Series, which the Dodgers won In five matches. Overall, he batted .327 with four home runs and a 1.102 OPS in 14 postseason games.
Along with his daily theatrics, Soto became a beloved figure in the Bronx. Next week, the Yankees will make an offer to continue the partnership for years to come.
“I think it has to be organic, let the meeting go where it needs to go,” Boone said. “I’m sure he’ll probably have questions now that he’s a free agent [or wants] To process certain things. But I’m going to go out there and be myself and be confident in my relationship with Juan and certainly, hopefully, reinforce the point of how valuable he is and how much we think of him – not just as a player, but as a person. “.
Whether Soto returns or not, Boone will lead the Yankees in 2025. But beyond that is unknown. The director said that he had not discussed extending the contract with the organization.
“We will see if there is any further dialogue going on,” Boone said. “We’ll see about that. But regardless, I’m excited to be back and excited to lead this crew again.”
Boone admitted that there would be one change in his coaching staff “for sure” and perhaps more, although he refused to reveal details.
