In Juan Soto, the Yankees are Getting a Player Who is All Over the Baseball Record Books
The New York Yankees shook up the baseball world on Wednesday night, acquiring slugger Juan Soto in a deal with the San Diego Padres.
It's a move that lengthens the Yankees' lineup, and the tandem of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge instantly becomes the best 1-2 punch in the league.
Make no mistake about it. A move like this puts the Yankees back in the mix to win the American League pennant in 2024.
Soto is one of the best hitters in baseball - and one of the most accomplished hitters ever by the age of 25.
He's already a three-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger and a batting champion. He also helped the Washington Nationals win the 2019 World Series and is a career .284 hitter with a .421 on-base percentage.
Sarah Langs of MLB.com posted multiple pieces of information on social media following the trade to reiterate just how special Soto is.
Juan Soto had a 158 OPS+ in 2023
he has 5 qualified seasons with at least a 140 OPS+, tied for the most by a player thru age-24 season, with:
Mike Trout
Mickey Mantle
Jimmie Foxx
Ty Cobb
That's certainly incredible company to be in, as all of those players are or will be Hall of Famers.
The same can be said for this one...
multiple seasons with 30+ HR & 100+ walks before turning 25:
Ted Williams (3)
Juan Soto
Mel Ott
Eddie Mathews
Mickey Mantle
Jimmie FoxxA
And finally...
most Silver Slugger awards before turning 25, age as of end of regular season:
Juan Soto: 4
Mike Trout: 4
The Yankees finished fourth last year in the American League East and missed the playoffs, but with this move, they are clearly all-in on trying to restore dominance in the American League.
New York hasn't been to or won a World Series since 2009.
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