JUAN SOTO'S LOVE AFFAIR WITH YANKEE FANS

 

Source: AP

Juan Soto is certainly winning over fans' hearts. And the young right fielder appears to love them right back. Soto's first homestand has become more than a roll call homage to the superstar—it is more like a romance. It's fun to watch; but how long will it last?

"They’ve been showing love every day and it’s been amazing, day in and day out, and in the entire game," Soto said about Yankees fans, per NJ.com's Randy Miller. "It’s been pretty cool." Soto is set to enter free agency come the end of the 2024 season. So, in many ways, Soto is just an AirBnb — a rental that the fans may have to give back at the end of the summer.

"In his first year in New York, Soto is slashing .366/.471/.561 with 10 RBIs. The three-time All-Star hit his first Yankees homer in a 5—3 win against the Houston Astros on March 30. Soto is playing in the final year of his deal this season and could potentially command a contract starting in the $500 million range in free agency," according to The Athletic.

The Yankees need Soto to have a monster year. So far, they are getting their wishes and then some. The fans are coming out in droves to watch the new right fielder perform. He gave them a show on Monday with his first home run at the Stadium. Besides his ability to hit the long ball, Soto gets on base. He walks, he hits for average, and he has speed. And despite the scouting reports, he can play a heck of a right field. Which he is certainly banking on to improve his AAV (average annual value) when hitting free agency.

Source: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

"How many teams will be interested in that kind of a mega-deal? On one hand, clubs have grown increasingly wary of mammoth contracts that can weigh down a payroll for decades. But Soto projects to age well because of his eye, his steady on-base percentage and the ripple effect his at-bats have. Teammates marvel about the way Soto works, how he never seems to take a pitch off," reported The Athletic.

For now, we are two weeks into the season. There's a lot of time between now and what would hope to be a long postseason for the Yankees. Besides the love affair is just heating up. And Soto seems all in on the relationship. Will that and a World Series ring keep Soto in the Bronx for the long haul? Now, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves...but we can wish. 

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof