It seems we all hoped Juan Soto might surprise us by opting for a short-term deal with the Yankees, forgoing the complexities of free agency and playing for less than he did last season. But, of course, that wasn’t the case.
Jon Heyman reports that Soto has officially turned down the Yankees’ qualifying offer of $21.05 million. While that amount might have been appealing for players like Reds pitcher Nick Martinez, it’s a mere drop in the bucket for Soto, who’s expected to secure a long-term deal worth far more—likely 25 times that amount, if not more. It’s worth noting that Soto was the only Yankee player to receive a qualifying offer, as the team opted not to extend one to Gleyber Torres or any other players.
This is all part of the MLB offseason routine. With Soto rejecting the offer, the Yankees could receive draft pick compensation in the 2025 MLB Draft if he signs elsewhere. However, due to the Yankees’ luxury tax position, that compensation would likely come after the fourth round. Despite this, the team remains very much in the mix to sign him. Let’s just hope the Yankees can stick to their ambitious offseason strategy and land Soto, no matter the cost.
