New York – The Yankees, who struggled through a brutal season in 2022, appear to be on the cusp of a blockbuster trade that could dramatically improve their chances of returning to the World Series next season.
According to various reports, they are closing in on a trade with the San Diego Padres that would send superstar Juan Soto to the Bronx.
Opposing fanbases may roll their eyes when Yankees fans complain about a championship drought dating back to 2009. But here, that’s forever. Now, with Soto likely to soon appear in stripes, the mood among the fans has improved.
“It’s going to be a World Series or bust,” one fan told Doug Williams of CBS New York.
“If we get Juan Soto, we win,” another said.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more proven baseball commodity than Soto, a 25-year-old swinging hard hitter who already has a World Series ring, 160 home runs, 483 RBI, and a .284 average over his seven games. Major League Seasons.
Reports have indicated that the Yankees will part with a handful of major league players and prospects for Soto, who is scheduled to make $27 million in 2023.
“He’s a good guy, a good addition to the Yankees lineup,” one fan said.
“They didn’t make the playoffs this year, so I’d like to see them make the playoffs at the very least,” another fan said.
The Dominican outfielder is a three-time All-Star and won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019. He slid into a star-studded Yankees lineup that was tough last season, giving the team and its fanbase a much-needed boost. .
“There’s really no guy who changes the conversation better in baseball than Juan Soto,” SNY NFL insider Andy Martino said. “Charismatic, home run hitter, truly the type of star player who seems almost designed in a laboratory to help the Yankees on the field and with fan morale.”
The potential deal is not without complications. Soto’s contract expires at the end of next season, which means that the exchange for his services may be just a rental.
But if you ask any Yankees fan, they’ll say: Just bring him over here, and we’ll worry about that later.
Doug Williams
