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The Soto Shuffle has arrived.
It finally happened. Juan José Soto Pacheco is a New York Yankee. Bronx Bomber fans around the world will get the chance to see the Dominican sensation, who many are calling a future hall-of-famer, in those gorgeous pinstripes. It was first reported by MLB Network Insider Joel Sherman at 10:37 PM EST via X(formerly known as Twitter). I feel Twitter rolls off the tongue better so I add that disclaimer when I can.
What better way to flip these(kinda boring, if I do say so myself) winter meetings right on their heads than with the biggest trade of 2023! The full deal sends pitchers Michael King(sad times for fans of the King) and Jhony Brito, catcher Kyle Higashioka(RIP a Yankee career since 2008), and prospects Drew Thorpe and Randy Vásquez to the San Diego Padres, with the Yankees receiving Soto and two-time gold glover OF Trent Grisham.
Yankees fans have waited months for something to lift their spirits, and they got that in Juan Soto. In a semi-mourning state ever since the abysmal ending to the 22-23 season, fans have only had Gerrit Cole's first Cy Young win to celebrate, alongside seeing Gleybor Torres in a full beard for Nestor Cortes' wedding. Oh, and the Yankees acquired lefty-bat Alex Bregman from Boston which is cool I guess? Fans on X(formerly known as Twitter) have a lot to say about that trade.
But on to the good stuff, no it's the great stuff. Juan Soto is one of the best offensive players in the game and not just for his bat. In the '22-'23 season, he led the league in walks, had a .929 OPS, and played in all 162 games, all wonderful signs of a rejuvenated Yankees offense. We needed this, we wanted this, but are Yankees fans ready for it?
Of course, it's no secret playing for New York isn't for the faint of heart; whether it's fans at games, the local media, or the general pressures of playing for the most recognizable franchise in baseball history. All of these factors will be in play from day one of Soto's arrival in the Bronx, for better or for worse.
Soto is due to be a free agent in 2024 and the Yankees could theoretically afford his new contract, but that will have to wait for the time being, as Soto needs to see if he even likes his new team. But fear not, it seems the Dominican phenom already has an idea of what life in New York is like.
If you know anything about the area, you'll know the 25-year-old will be right at home in the Bronx. Little Dominican Republic is 2 miles away, a short drive up the Riverside or Harlem River Drives(depending on which bridge you take.) If there's one thing Soto will appreciate, it's the food he'll have access to in the city.
Moving forward, as the dust settles on this trade, I'm sure Yankees fans will keep extremely reasonable expectations for this team...
Whether you love the Bombers or hate them, if you love baseball, you'll be excited to see what a lineup featuring both Aaron Judge and Juan Soto can do. And, personally, I can't wait to see Soto do his Shuffle in Yankee pinstripes.
What better way to flip these(kinda boring, if I do say so myself) winter meetings right on their heads than with the biggest trade of 2023! The full deal sends pitchers Michael King(sad times for fans of the King) and Jhony Brito, catcher Kyle Higashioka(RIP a Yankee career since 2008), and prospects Drew Thorpe and Randy Vásquez to the San Diego Padres, with the Yankees receiving Soto and two-time gold glover OF Trent Grisham.
Yankees fans have waited months for something to lift their spirits, and they got that in Juan Soto. In a semi-mourning state ever since the abysmal ending to the 22-23 season, fans have only had Gerrit Cole's first Cy Young win to celebrate, alongside seeing Gleybor Torres in a full beard for Nestor Cortes' wedding. Oh, and the Yankees acquired lefty-bat Alex Bregman from Boston which is cool I guess? Fans on X(formerly known as Twitter) have a lot to say about that trade.
But on to the good stuff, no it's the great stuff. Juan Soto is one of the best offensive players in the game and not just for his bat. In the '22-'23 season, he led the league in walks, had a .929 OPS, and played in all 162 games, all wonderful signs of a rejuvenated Yankees offense. We needed this, we wanted this, but are Yankees fans ready for it?
Of course, it's no secret playing for New York isn't for the faint of heart; whether it's fans at games, the local media, or the general pressures of playing for the most recognizable franchise in baseball history. All of these factors will be in play from day one of Soto's arrival in the Bronx, for better or for worse.
Soto is due to be a free agent in 2024 and the Yankees could theoretically afford his new contract, but that will have to wait for the time being, as Soto needs to see if he even likes his new team. But fear not, it seems the Dominican phenom already has an idea of what life in New York is like.
If you know anything about the area, you'll know the 25-year-old will be right at home in the Bronx. Little Dominican Republic is 2 miles away, a short drive up the Riverside or Harlem River Drives(depending on which bridge you take.) If there's one thing Soto will appreciate, it's the food he'll have access to in the city.
Moving forward, as the dust settles on this trade, I'm sure Yankees fans will keep extremely reasonable expectations for this team...
Whether you love the Bombers or hate them, if you love baseball, you'll be excited to see what a lineup featuring both Aaron Judge and Juan Soto can do. And, personally, I can't wait to see Soto do his Shuffle in Yankee pinstripes.
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