Yankees' Schmidt: 'Sign the dotted line with however much' Soto wants
New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt believes teammate Juan Soto will get whatever contract the superstar outfielder desires next offseason.
"I guess sign the dotted line with however much he wants," Schmidt said postgame when asked about Soto following a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.
Soto's long three-run home run in the seventh inning ended up being the difference in the game:
Juan Soto drills one out! 😤 pic.twitter.com/PhfaGLSuFp
— MLB (@MLB) April 20, 2024
The 2021 NL MVP runner-up is now slashing .347/.468/.600 with five homers and 20 RBIs over 20 games to begin the season.
"I think it's way too early but definitely feels great," Soto joked when asked about getting "MVP" chants at Yankee Stadium in mid-April, according to YES Network. "They (the fans) just really support me ... it feels amazing."
Soto is making $31 million this season in his last year of arbitration eligibility.
The 25-year-old could land a $500-million contract on free agency. The three-time All-Star already rejected a 15-year, $440-million offer in July 2022 while with the Washington Nationals, which prompted a trade to the San Diego Padres before he landed with the Yankees last offseason.