Juan Soto, Hal Steinbrenner

Juan Soto’s free agency is arguably the biggest storyline of the MLB offseason. Following a standout season with the New York Yankees, in which he helped lead the team to their first World Series appearance since 2009, the 26-year-old slugger is expected to command one of the largest contracts in baseball history.

With his impending free agency looming, MLB executives are speculating about where Soto will land, and according to a recent survey, the consensus is that he will remain in New York. Hal Steinbrenner is likely to shake hands with Soto and his agent Scott Boras for a record breaking extension.

MLB Executives Vote For Juan Soto’s Extension With Yankees

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Juan Soto’s decision has the baseball world buzzing. The outfielder had a career-high 41 home runs in 2024, posting a .988 OPS, the third-highest in the league. His impact on the Yankees was undeniable, with a standout postseason performance that included a go-ahead home run in the ALCS that propelled the New York Yankees to the World Series. His value on the field is clear, and with agent Scott Boras handling his negotiations, Soto is expected to land a record-breaking deal. In an insider survey conducted by ESPN’s Jesse Rodgers, a group of 18 MLB executives were asked about Soto’s future. The overwhelming favorite among the panel was that Soto would re-sign with the Yanks.

Of the 18 executives surveyed, 12 predicted Soto would stay in New York, with the rest predicting he could sign with the Mets or the Blue Jays. This prediction comes down to the Yankees’ willingness to go all-in on retaining Soto. The Bronx Bombers, known for their aggressive approach in free agency, are expected to match or come very close to matching any offers from other teams. As one executive put it, “the Yankees don’t let stars walk,” referencing the team’s history of paying top-dollar to keep players of Soto’s caliber. Another executive added that general manager Brian Cashman will likely make the case to ownership about the importance of locking up Soto in the long term. While the Yanks are the clear frontrunner, the New York Mets could present serious competition. With the deepest pockets in the league, Mets owner Steve Cohen has shown a willingness to spend aggressively. Some executives believe that Cohen could outbid the Yanks, given Soto’s age and long-term potential.

Inside Details On Yanks Meet With Soto Is Out

Brian Cashman, Juan Soto
The New York Yankees had their first in-person meeting with Juan Soto on Monday, and early reports indicate that the team is feeling encouraged about the possibility of re-signing the superstar outfielder to a long-term contract. According to Bob Klapisch of NJ.com, the meeting was productive.

And it left Yankees’ brass optimistic about Soto’s interest in staying in New York. Although no formal offer was made during this initial meeting, the Yanks are reportedly encouraged by the discussions, which lasted several hours. The team is confident that there is a clear pathway to further negotiations once the financial aspects are fully considered.