On Facebook
On Flipboard
Yankees' Juan Soto looking forward to one thing after free agency
New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto indicated during his All-Star Game media availability on Monday that he hopes to enjoy some career stability after he signs his next contract.
"It's a little uncomfortable wearing different jerseys and changing teams," Soto said in Spanish, as shared by Jorge Castillo of ESPN. "I'm looking forward to wearing one for a long time."
Soto offered similar comments before the start of the season and months after he joined the Yankees from the San Diego Padres via a trade. The 25-year-old repeatedly has done well to publicly commit to nothing other than featuring for the Yankees through the rest of the ongoing campaign, and it was reported last week that team owner Hal Steinbrenner and others in the New York front office "do seem to be convinced now" that Soto will reach free agency after the season.
As for the Yankees, they played like the best team in all of MLB at points of the spring before they endured a summer slump and limped into the All-Star break at 58-40. New York will begin the second half of the season trailing the first-place Baltimore Orioles by a single game in the American League East standings.
"Who wouldn't want to be with a team that wins? For me, while you're on a winning team, it's always good to be there and be a part of it," Soto said about his uncertain future.
Castillo mentioned that the Washington Nationals, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs are "expected to compete with the Yankees for Soto's services" later this year. Soto played for the Nationals from 2018 through part of the 2022 season but more recently has been heavily linked by some with the Mets.
The Mets could elect to let All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso test free agency this fall so that they can pay Soto.
"If I knew the future," Soto added during his comments, "I would play the lottery. Nobody knows the future. At the end of the day, I'm enjoying this moment, representing the New York Yankees. ... I'm very happy to be part of (the game), but nobody knows what will happen next year."
As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Yankees third among the betting favorites at +550 odds to win the 2024 World Series. The Bronx Bombers even participating in this year's Fall Classic could help convince Soto to stay put via what could become a historic contract.
More must-reads:
- Yankees' Aaron Judge names opposing player he would want as a teammate
- Injured Yankees slugger could return to action shortly after All-Star break
- The 'Highest-paid player for every MLB team' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Former Well-Liked Seattle Mariners Catcher is Now a Part of Some Wild New York Mets History
Luis Torrens, a backup catcher and a former member of the Seattle Mariners, took to the mound on Sunday afternoon and became a part of some interesting New York Mets history. Per SNY Mets: Luis Torrens is the 42nd different player to pitch for the Mets this season, which is a new franchise record for the most players to pitch for the team in a season. Torrens entered the game as the Mets were blown out by the San Francisco Giants. New York has dealt with a high number of injuries this season, which has caused them to use so many pitchers. Of course, Seattle Mariners fans have seen Torrens pitch before. He has four career appearances, including famously winning a game in 2022. The Mariners had already clinched a playoff spot at the end of that season and did not want to waste any pitchers on the eves of the playoffs, so Torrens pitched in extra-innings against the Detroit Tigers. Now 29-years-old, Torrens is an eight-year veteran of the San Diego Padres, Mariners, Chicago Cubs and Mets. He's been with the Mariners on two separate occasions, playing with them from 2020-2022 and then again in a portion of 2023. Lifetime, he's a .225 hitter with 24 home runs. His best year, by far, was in 2021 when he hit 15 homers for the Mariners and drove in 47. The Mariners missed the playoffs on the final day of the season that year. This season, Torrens is hitting .217 for New York. The Mariners will get an opportunity to see Torrens in person in just a few weeks: They'll play the Mets in a three-game series from Aug. 15-17.
Maple Leafs Linked to 20-Goal Talent in Potential Roster Shake-Up
With Mitch Marner leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs this offseason, the team has been searching for different ways to replace his production. Marner was a central piece to the offensive side of things for Toronto, and the Maple Leafs front office has been active. Toronto is looking to get over the hump in the Eastern Conference, and building a more well-rounded roster could be the key. The Maple Leafs have multiple options to improve the team, and the possibility of a late offseason move is in play. One name that has gained some traction for the Maple Leafs is forward Jack Roslovic. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, there are multiple teams still looking at Roslovic, including the Maple Leafs. Toronto has been trying to move money around to make it possible to outright sign Roslovic. The Maple Leafs are lacking cap space, but it seems that Roslovic could be a solid addition to bolster the roster. Roslovic is coming off a very successful season with the Carolina Hurricanes, which saw him score 22 goals and 17 assists. The forward remains one of the better free agents still left on the open market, and he could help fill the void left by Marner's leaving. Toronto has been active this offseason, bringing in Nicolas Roy and Matias Maccelli to help things. But Roslovic could be used as a third-line scoring option, helping to make the Maple Leafs more formidable across the roster. This could be a move to help get the Maple Leafs to take that next step toward true title contention. The front office has a lot of pressure on it to succeed, and this could be one way to help win more games on the ice.
Chicago Bears receive new stadium pitch from Chicago mayor
It might be too little, too late, but the Chicago Bears received a new pitch from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson about building the new stadium project in the city. The Bears are moving full steam ahead with the site in Arlington Heights. The local government in Arlington Heights is still working through the feasibility studies, and the state government has not passed any legislation that would aid the team in building the stadium, especially with a freeze on property taxes. Mayor Brandon Johnson wants the Chicago Bears in Chicago During an appearance on 670 The Score, Johnson argued that the Bears “belong” to Chicago and wants to keep them in the city for the next 100 years. “Look, the Bears belong in the city of Chicago,” Johnson said on the “Rahimi Harris Show” Monday afternoon. “And I believe that people know that. There’s a tremendous momentum. As you know, Joe Mansueto with the Fire, we’re talking about hundreds of million dollars to build a new stadium. The 1901 Project on the west side of Chicago, you’re talking about millions of dollars of investments… “We’re on a nice little hot winning streak here. So, my door’s going to remain open. And the hope is that Chicago Bears fans will rally around this moment to challenge all of us to come together to figure out a path to make sure the 100-year history doesn’t end in this moment and we can set ourselves up for the next 100 years.” Johnson points to low crime rates in Chicago Johnson touted declining crime rates as a reason for the Bears to stay in the city. “Homicides are down 32%, shooting victims are down almost 40%,” Johnson said. “We’re seeing unprecedented levels of investment. So, my door still remains open. And perhaps because I am a Cubs fan, I just remain optimistic, no matter what the circumstances are. But they really do belong in the city of Chicago.” Johnson hasn’t had conversations with the Bears in the last two weeks. For now, CEO Kevin Warren is trying to get enough government support to start building in Arlington Heights as soon as possible. If Warren doesn’t get the help he needs, the Bears could again try and angle for lakefront property in Chicago.
Knee operation: Kirby Dach not yet back on his feet
Two years ago to the day, Canadiens fans were optimistic about Kirby Dach’s future in Montreal: the 6’4 forward had just collected 38 points in 58 games – in his first campaign in Quebec – and many wondered whether Dach had a better chance of establishing himself as a first NHL center than captain Nick Suzuki. The past 730 days have proven otherwise, but that’s not the point this morning. Since joining the Canadiens, Dach has earned a reputation as a fragile player. Virus, shoulder, upper body (concussion?), lower body, knee(ACL and MCL), knee again… Let’s just say that injuries haven’t spared Dach since he arrived in Montreal. In fact, injuries haven’t spared Dach since he started playing hockey. He has never played more than 70 games in a single season, and has only broken the 60-game barrier three times in nine junior or pro seasons. Last February, Dach underwent a second operation on his right knee in the space of 18 months. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes may tell us that Kirby Dach is fine,but we still have our doubts. Especially whenyou consider that, with the Canadiens’ recent additions and departures, Kirby Dach is still the team’s second center on the organizational chart. content-ads]Last week, I wondered where Kirby was ? We’ve seen plenty of Habs players skating at the CN Complex this summer, but not Kirby Dach. And I had to work like a monk to catch a glimpse of him in a video filmed at Nick Suzuki’s wedding! Yesterday, I was told that Kirby Dach was spending the summer in Edmonton with Kaiden Guhle – Dach is from Saskatchewan and Guhle is from Alberta – and that Dach was still in rehab. I repeat: five months after his most recent knee operation and some 40 days before the start of practice camp, Kirby Dach is still not recovered and ready to play. Good informants spotted him in an Edmonton gym doing squats with loads that look like the ones I used to take when I went to Econofitness, not the ones an NHL player uses [content-ads]This explains it: when he came to Montreal for his captain’s wedding, Kirby Dach couldn’t – or wouldn’t – skate with his teammates in Brossard. It’s worth noting that Dach is also very quiet on social networks – his last post was in November 2024 – probably in an effort to be forgotten… to go unnoticed. Spending the summer in Alberta, rather than in Montreal (with his chums at Osheaga), makes sense, when you think about it…Let’s just say that the chances of Dach starting his season at the same time as everyone else in two months’ time are pretty slim, which is cause for concern for those hoping to see the Canadiens in the playoffs in 2026. Yes, the Kirby Dach problem would be solved if a guy like Mason MacTavish-good offensively, defensively, physically and in the face-off circle-came to Montreal, but let’s just say that the odds of that happening this summer are very low. And you can’t make plans with very improbable things![spacer title=’Prolongation’]Matthew Tkachuk, who was injured last winter while throwing down the gloves at the 4 Nations tournament, underwent surgery last month (hernia and adductor). According to the latest information from Elliotte Friedman, Tkachuk could return to action just before the Olympic Games. Let’s hope Kirby Dach doesn’t have to wait as long as Tkachuk.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
