As Major League Baseball players navigate the off-season looking for new contracts or trade opportunities, many are faced with tough decisions about their future, whether it’s seeking for a renewed contract or a fresh start with a new team.
For Juan Soto, one of the league’s younger right fielders, the 2024 off-season was no different. With contract talks and free agency, Soto found himself at a crossroads that could change the next chapter of his career.
Some people want to sign a contract for a shot at a Championship, but some people sign for more money making opportunities, etc.
According to The Sporting News article “Why did Juan Soto sign with the Mets over Yankees? Future outlooks helps Steve Cohen poach star from Bronx” By Daniel Mader, Soto said, “The Mets is a great organization. They have all of the ability to keep winning, to try to grow a dynasty. What you were seeing from the other side was unbelievable.”
Last season the New York Mets went 89-73 with a .549 win percentage, according to ESPN.Com.
The Sporting News Today artice by Mader said, “Soto believes in the future of the team.”
When Soto’s contract with the New York Yankees ended, he debated on a longer contract with other teams. The Yankees offered Soto 760 million dollars over 16 years for an annual salary of 47.5 million. The Mets offered 765 Million dollars over 15 years for an annual salary of around 51 million. When he signed with the Mets, he got a 75 Million dollar bonus according to The Sporting News article by Mader.
Eighth grade Science teacher Paul Neatrour said it’s a lot of money. But that’s the market for baseball players of that caliber.
“Every time there’s a new player who needs to sign a contract for a long period, the price keeps going up and up. I do think baseball pays too much money to players, and there’s a big imbalance in the league,” said Neatrour.
If you get a new player, you need to know how to utilize them based on their strength and weaknesses.
“I think he’ll probably start off playing outfield, but as he gets older, he’ll probably move into more of a DH role,” Neatrour said. “I don’t view him as a top tier, defensive player. I think as he gets older, he’s just gonna regress defensively, like most players do and he’ll eventually DH.”
Eighth grader Alec Woodring said he thinks they will utilize him well.
Woodring said, “Right now they don’t have that many weapons for on offense.”
All in all, we will have to wait and see how Soto performs next season and in the following seasons to come.
