Juan Soto Declines Yankees’ Qualifying Offer
Juan Soto has been the focal point of the offseason and has now turned down an offer from his former team.
Soto rejected the New York Yankees’ one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer, according to Jon Heyman. As a result, the Yankees will receive a compensatory draft pick if they fail to re-sign the star outfielder. Tuesday was the deadline for players to accept or decline qualifying offers.
The 26-year-old has already met with multiple teams and is expected to hold additional meetings. While no official offers have been reported, Soto is projected to secure one of the largest contracts in MLB history.
The Yankees acquired Soto in a blockbuster seven-player trade with the San Diego Padres last winter. During his single season in New York, Soto posted career-best numbers, including 41 home runs and 7.9 wins above replacement. He slashed .288/.419/.569, drove in 109 runs, and led the American League with 128 runs scored.
Soto was an All-Star starter in left field, a Silver Slugger winner, and a finalist for both AL MVP and a Gold Glove.
In the postseason, Soto continued to shine. He hit four home runs, drove in nine runs, and posted a 1.101 OPS. His most memorable moment came in Game 5 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, where his three-run homer in the tenth inning secured the Yankees’ series victory.
The Yankees remain one of the frontrunners to sign Soto in free agency, where his star power makes him a top priority.