Juan José Soto Pacheco has excelled since joining the New York Yankees after their deal with the San Diego Padres. However, it’s important to note that his contract ended following the Dodgers’ World Series win, prompting him to explore free agency.
The Dominican outfielder established himself with impressive regular-season stats, boasting a batting average of .288/.419/.569, along with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, and 128 runs scored.
In the postseason, he continued to demonstrate his talent, achieving an OPS of 1.160, hitting four home runs, and posting a batting line of .429/.556/.857.
This performance has drawn interest from multiple teams, particularly since there’s no agreement for him to remain with the Yankees. Notably, renowned insider Jon Heyman from the New York Post reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers are keen on signing Soto.
But can they afford the hefty salary he demands?
The Dodgers had a clear objective: to reach the World Series and secure a championship title. They succeeded and made significant investments before the season, acquiring key players that transformed their performance. Notably, they signed Japanese star Shohei Ohtani, who left the Los Angeles Angels to join the Dodgers for ten years and $700 million last December. Ohtani opted to defer the $68 million annual salary he was entitled to, allowing the Dodgers to build a strong roster. He will receive $680 million total when his contract concludes, with payments of $68 million from 2034 to 2043.
Additionally, pitcher Tyler Glasnow was brought in from the Tampa Bay Rays on a five-year deal worth $136.5 million. They also signed Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who debuted in MLB after a successful run with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan, securing a 12-year contract for $325 million. In total, the Dodgers committed an astounding $1.161 billion to just these three players, clearly signaling their desire to win another championship in MLB.