THE BIG JUAN SOTO TEASE!

I saw what was trending recently in the sports world and on X, but I'm not falling for it! I'm not taking the bait. That's exactly what all of this Juan Soto extension talks has been.... click bait! That doesn't mean I don't want it to happen.... but I just know better.

I saw all of the headlines, but I'm not getting worked up. Yes, Soto is enjoying himself. Yes, Hal always wants the best in pinstripes but this extension talk doesn't mean anything is going to happen, check out the extension chatter HERE.

Look, Soto looks right at home in the Bronx. Hal Steinbrenner knows it too, that's why he called him a "generational talent" and that's fine. He's not wrong, Soto is an extremely talented player who hasn't cracked under the bright New York lights like so many others have. I like that, but what I would like even more is to watch him help bring a World Series championship back to us again. Show me that first before we go talking about a crazy contract.

Then there is the elephant in the room. We can't forget that Soto's agent is Scott Boras after all who never encourages a contract extension. An agent's job is to get their client the biggest and best offer and despite recent history this offseason, the man knows how to work a room and get competing offers. Even if the Yankees came in and made a mind-blowing offer today, there is no reason for Soto to take that offer because there will be other teams willing to make similar offers to get him. After all, Soto has already been linked to the Mets who are equally hungry to sign him.

Soto knows there is a market out there after this season and Boras always encourages his clients to let teams compete against each other. This is what he has been waiting for his entire MLB career. Think about it, he has turned down MULTIPLE extension offers already. Why has he done it? To get to free agency. He knows if the Washington Nationals were willing to give him a 15-year extension at $440 million back in 2022, that there will be even more money on the table in the winter. Perhaps even more if he is a World Series champion. He's not about to change his strategy now.

So I'm ignoring the noise for now. Hal and Soto may have a mutual interest in a long term relationship, but that doesn't mean he's committing in the middle of the season. He won't make it that easy for us and we shouldn't make it that easy for him to get what he wants without a championship, first.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj