Soto 'open to listening to anybody' in free agency
New York Yankees superstar outfielder Juan Soto isn't planning on limiting his options in free agency.
"We're going to be open to listening to anybody and everybody," Soto said Friday when asked about testing the open market in the offseason, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. "We're not closing any doors. Whoever wants to talk about deals, I'm open."
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said he's open to negotiating an extension with the 2021 NL MVP runner-up during the season. However, Steinbrenner also said Wednesday the club's current payroll levels are "not sustainable for us financially."
Soto reportedly wants a megadeal similar to the 10-year, $700-million contract Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason. Soto rejected a 15-year, $440-million extension from the Washington Nationals in 2022.
"I'm rooting for him to get as much as he can," former San Diego Padres teammate Manny Machado said before starting a three-game series with the Yankees.
Soto, 25, entered Friday's play with a .312/.409/.563 slash line, 13 homers, and 41 RBIs over 52 games for the AL East-leading Yankees this season.