New York Yankees All-Star Juan Soto is already playing with one American League MVP, but he wants to play with another one in his career if given the option.
Soto was among the star-studded group in Arlington, Texas, on Monday during the MLB All-Star Game press conference. After a reporter mentioned that LeBron James and Steph Curry would be playing on the same team for the first time this summer, Soto was asked which MLB player he would like to play on the same team with one day.
After a quick thought, he knew the answer.
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Juan Soto, #22 of the New York Yankees, speaks to the media during Gatorade All-Star Training Day at Globe Life Field on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Gene Wang/Getty Images)
“[Shohei] Ohtani would be one of the best. He went to the National League, I went to the American League. So it's been a little bit of a mess, but Ohtani would definitely be one of them.”
While Soto was traded to the Yankees this offseason from the San Diego Padres, Ohtani was signing a massive $700 million contract to spend the next 10 years in Los Angeles with the Dodgers.
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What's significant about this question for Soto, though, is his impending free agency, as many wonder where the 25-year-old slugger will land after the 2024 season.
Of course, Yankees fans don't want to think about Soto leaving the Bronx anytime soon. The AL MVP he's playing alongside now, Aaron Judge, is back on track to win the award as the Yankees are well positioned in the postseason race.
While they have the option to sign him now as a Scott Boras client, it's almost certain at this point that Soto will be testing the free agency waters ahead of a potential return to the Yankees.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, talks with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara during the ninth inning of an opening-day baseball game against the San Diego Padres at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Would the Dodgers be willing to shell out another lucrative contract for an MLB All-Star? They already have plenty on the roster: Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, to name a few. “La La Land” has been spoiled with some of the best talent baseball has to offer, and their record proves it, too.
Despite Ohtani’s mammoth deal, however, the Dodgers only have the sixth-highest payroll in MLB thanks to a few details in that contract, among others. The Yankees, meanwhile, are the second-highest, while the New York Mets, another team rumored to desperately want Soto, are the highest in the league.
Soto appears to be enjoying his time with the Yankees, although they've been in a bit of a slump these past few days leading up to the All-Star break. While he certainly wants to cash in and will get a big contract no matter where he lands, Soto also wants to add to his trophy case. He already has a World Series ring with the Washington Nationals.
Juan Soto, #22 of the New York Yankees, hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on May 18, 2024 in New York City. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
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Time will ultimately tell where he lands, but perhaps he has his sights set on the West Coast once again after his mention of Ohtani.
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