Yankees trade target Juan Soto is back home in the Dominican Republic impatiently waiting for the inevitable.
He’s antsy.
The three-time All-Star outfielder wants the Padres to stop negotiating and pull the trigger on a trade, whether it’s a move to the Bronx or anywhere else.
On the eve of this week’s Winter Meetings, which began Sunday night at Gaylord Opryland Resort, Soto’s mindset was relayed to an NJ Advance Media source who is a long-time big leaguer.
In texts with Soto late last week, the source says the 25-year-old outfielder can’t wait for the Padres to complete a deal so that he can focus on getting ready for the 2024 season instead of being consumed with his uncertain future.
“He just wants this over with,” the source said. “He doesn’t care where he goes. He knows the Padres aren’t keeping him, so he wants them to trade him.”
What’s Soto think about a possible deal to the Yankees, who were the favorites to work a deal until the past few days when the rival Blue Jays emerged as new frontrunners based?
“He’d be happy going there (to the Yankees),” the source said. “But he’d be happy going to Toronto, too. He says he doesn’t care where he plays. He just wants to know who he’ll be playing for.”
The Padres need the trim a lot of payroll this winter and Soto is as good as gone because he’s projected to make about $32 million in 2024, his walk year to free agency.
A deal could be finalized before the Winter Meetings wrap up with Wednesday morning’s Rule 5 draft.
Soto turned down $440 million over 15 years from the Nationals in 2022 before he was traded by Washington to San Diego. As a free agent, he’ll ask for even more.
The NJ Advance Media source who knows Sosa believes agent Scott Boras’ initial ask will be for around $550 million for 13 years. He predicted Soto might settle for $450 million.
Will the Yankees go that high? Doubtful.
While Hal Steinbrenner is on record saying he’ll consider any acquisition that would improve the Yankees, it’s believed he wants Aaron Judge to remain the highest-paid Yankee.
As a free agent last winter, Judge re-signed with the Yankees for the richest deal in franchise history, nine years for $360 million.
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