Yankees have envisioned Juan Soto clad in their pinstripes, pondering the sight of one of the world’s most productive sluggers taking aim at Yankee Stadium’s inviting right-field porch.
That tantalizing fantasy is about to become reality.
Soto is officially heading to the Bronx, acquired by the Yankees from the Padres on Wednesday night as part of a blockbuster seven-player trade that was the talk of baseball’s Winter Meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
Opposing fanbases may roll their eyes when Yankees fans complain about their championship drought dating back to 2009. But around here, that's an eternity. And now, with the possibility of Soto soon being in pinstripes, the mood among the masses has improved.
"It would be World Series or bust," one fan told CBS New York's Doug Williams.
"If we get Juan Soto, we're winning," another said.
The 25-year-old Soto became available this offseason in the aftermath of Padres owner Peter Siedler passing away, and with the club reportedly looking to cut payroll after needing to take out a $50 million loan in September. Soto is set to hit free agency next winter and is expected to command one of the richest deals in MLB history. Seventeen months ago, the Padres acquired Soto from the Nationals at the 2022 trade deadline in exchange for several top prospects.
Though Soto's numbers dipped upon his initial arrival in San Diego, he still helped the club to an NLDS upset over the Los Angeles Dodgers that fall. This past season, he was one of the few bright spots amid the Padres' disappointing year, notching a .275/.410/.519 slash line with a career-high 35 home runs and 109 RBIs.
King is the headliner of the return, as the righty was an ace reliever for the Yankees before excelling as a starter in the final month of the ’23 season. Thorpe is one of New York’s top pitching prospects, accumulating a 2.81 ERA in 18 minor league games last year, while Brito and Vásquez are young pitchers with major league experience.
Higashioka is a seven-year veteran catcher who has spent his career as a Yankees backup catcher with 40 home runs and a .648 OPS in his career
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