Yankees stars unveil their Juan Soto contract: “$700 million”

When Hal Steinbrenner took the stage late Saturday night to accept the trophy for winning the American League pennant, the Yankees fans gathered behind the visitors’ bench at Progressive Field were already thinking about the future.

The Yankees had just punched their ticket to the franchise’s first World Series in 15 years, but their fans wanted to make sure the superstar who delivered the final blow in Game 5 of the ALCS would stick around for another October.

“Re-sign Soto!” They sang, repeating a familiar refrain that echoed through Yankee Stadium during the second half of the season.

They weren’t the only ones.

“I think we should re-sign Soto, $700 million,” Jazz Chisholm Jr. said later in the clubhouse over a raucous champagne and beer celebration. “That’s my number. Final offer.”

Others were a little more subtle, although the message remained the same.

“We need him to stay. He’s here to stay,” said ALCS MVP Giancarlo Stanton. “We have to bring it (a championship) home and then we’ll bring him home.”

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Of course, all of this will only become apparent once the World Series is over and winter begins.

But Soto ensured the Yankees will have a chance to win after his heroics on a classic Soto batter in the 10th inning. He got a 1-1 count against Guardians right-hander Hunter Gaddis and then fouled off two sliders and two changeups. He knew he was “everywhere on every pitch” but spoiled the fast pitches while waiting for a mistake where he could do damage.

Finally, it came on the seventh pitch of the at-bat, a 95 mph fastball at the top of the zone that Soto pounced on and shot to center field. Some of his teammates worried that the ball might be too high to come out, but the ball just kept drifting and ended up beyond the wall, allowing a three-run shot.

“The more pitches he sees, the more dangerous he becomes, just downloading the release point, the timing and everything,” Stanton said. “It seemed like he got a couple of those balls out of the catcher’s glove. Incredible moment and exactly who he is.”

Halfway down the first base line, Soto turned toward the Yankees’ dugout and beat his chest as his teammates fell wildly to the ground.

“I felt like I was in a coffin after he hit him because I was dead,” Chisholm said. “My body just went from having a heart attack to having a heart attack.”

The Yankees acquired Soto for moments like this, and Soto basked in it all.

“Thank you to everyone involved in this trade,” Soto said, standing on the mound amid the on-field celebrations. “I’m really happy with that. I’m really happy to be here. Brought me to one of the best teams I’ve ever played on in my life.”