Brian Cashman is being transparent with Yankees supporters regarding Juan Soto’s situation. The Yankees’ General Manager addressed reporters on Thursday from the team’s spring training facility in Tampa, Florida, expressing his belief that Soto will likely become a free agent after the upcoming season.
Cashman emphasized that he anticipates Soto’s tenure with the Yankees to be short-term, with the player likely exploring free agency once his current contract expires. “I don’t foresee many obstacles preventing him from reaching free agency,” Cashman stated, according to Yankees reporter Bryan Hoch.
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Soto is slated to earn $31 million in the final year of his arbitration eligibility this season before becoming a free agent. With his agent being Scott Boras, known for steering his clients towards free agency and securing top contracts, the likelihood of Soto testing the open market is high. Despite turning down lucrative offers from the Washington Nationals, leading to his trade to the Padres and subsequently to the Yankees, Soto and Boras have had free agency in their sights all along, a fact acknowledged by Cashman.
The Yankees’ eagerness to bolster their offensive lineup, following a lackluster performance in the previous season, led them to acquire Soto via trade with San Diego, even with the understanding that it could be a short-term arrangement. The hope is that Soto’s addition will significantly enhance their chances of making a postseason run.
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