Yankees' Juan Soto has one big wish for next contract

New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto revealed to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN that he hopes the contract he signs following the 2024 season is ultimately his last MLB deal.

"At the end of the day, everybody wants to be where they're going to finish their career," Soto explained ahead of the Yankees' Opening Day game at the Houston Astros. "This free agency was really tough for a lot of players, but I think if you ask any guy in the clubhouse, anywhere, they will be happy to be in a long-term deal and try to finish their career where they can be. That's the best thing for me -- to stay in one place and try to, whenever I do this deal, just finish in that one spot."

Soto joined the Yankees from the San Diego Padres via a trade announced in December, and the three-time All-Star remains on track to reach free agency. He is represented by well-known agent Scott Boras. 

It was believed throughout the winter and spring training that Boras always wanted Soto to hit the open market after the World Series, and Tim Britton of The Athletic said for a piece published on March 8 he thinks Soto could get "a 14-year, $540M deal ($38.5 million average annual value)." 

Whether or not the Yankees will extend such an offer to Soto remains to be seen. 

Some are already linking Soto with the New York Mets, as big-spending Mets owner Steve Cohen theoretically can afford to outbid Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and every other club for the 25-year-old thought by many to be a generational talent. 

While speaking with Gonzalez, Soto mentioned how numerous former teammates were able to secure "long contracts" with full no-trade clauses that may allow them to finish their careers where they want. 

"Anything can happen in the future," Soto continued. "Maybe they get traded. But that's going to be on them if they want to get traded, instead of going to free agency and trying the market again. They just know they're going to be there for a long time."

Adding Soto ahead of Christmas made the 2024 Yankees a win-now team, meaning Steinbrenner could part ways with manager Aaron Boone and/or senior vice president/general manager Brian Cashman if the club's World Series drought that began after the fall of 2009 runs through and beyond this coming Thanksgiving Day. 

Such a development could impact Soto's free-agency decision considering he's made it known he craves stability.

"That's the best thing for me," Soto insisted. "Stay in one place and try to, whenever I do this deal, just finish in that one spot."