Inside The Pinstripes

Yankees Believe Juan Soto Will Give Them 'Final Crack' in Bidding War, Per Insider

An MLB.com insider revealed a fascinating belief that, if true, would alter the entire Juan Soto bidding war.
Grant Young|
Oct 19, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) celebrates after making the final out to beat the Cleveland Guardians during game five of the ALCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) celebrates after making the final out to beat the Cleveland Guardians during game five of the ALCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images | David Dermer-Imagn Images

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It's anybody's guess how the ongoing Juan Soto sweepstakes will end up.

What's known for sure is that the New York Yankees (along with the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Los Angeles Dodgers) are all considered still in the chase to sign Soto. And The Athletic reported on December 3 that all remaining contenders have made offers above $600 million.

That same article shared a sentiment that Soto will make and reveal his ultimate decision before the Winter Meetings commence, which starts on December 9.

Some insiders and reporters believe that the Yankees should still be considered the favorites to land Soto, while others seem convinced that they're a long shot.

But something MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand said in a December 3 article should inspire a ton of excitement from Yankees fans.

"I think the Yankees believe they will have a final crack to match or beat whatever the best offer they have is, so why throw out your final number now? Soto and [agent] Scott Boras aren’t signing without taking that final deal back to the Yankees," Feinsand said.

While this isn't confirmed, the fact that Feinsand (who is widely respected for being reputable) is willing to share that he thinks Soto and his team will give New York a sort of "last chance" effort in his bidding war is fascinating.

And if it's true, it could convey that Soto doesn't want to leave the Bronx after all.

Feinsand later added, "I won’t count the Yankees out of this race until I see Soto put on another jersey at a press conference next week in Dallas."

Yankees fans are hoping it won't reach that point.

Published
Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young covers the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, and Women’s Basketball for On SI. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco, where he also played Division 1 baseball for five years. He believes Mark Teixeira should have been a first ballot MLB Hall of Fame inductee. You can follow him on X: @GrvntYoung

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