Brian Cashman is attempting to be honest with Yankees fans about Juan Soto.
The New York Yankees’ general manager met with media on Thursday at the team’s spring training facilities in Tampa, Florida. Cashman told reporters that he fully expects Soto to be a one-year rental who will try free agency following the season.
“I don’t see too many things stopping him from reaching free agency,” Cashman told Yankees writer Bryan Hoch.
Soto is expected to earn $31 million this season, his final year of arbitration. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the year.
Soto’s agent is Scott Boras, who is well-known for allowing his clients to test free agency and go to the best bidder. Soto turned down a large offer from the Washington Nationals, so they moved him to the Padres, who subsequently traded him to the Yankees. Free agency has always been on his and Boras’ minds, and Cashman is aware of this.
The Yankees were anxious to improve their lackluster offensive from the previous season, so they struck a one-year rental deal with San Diego. The Bronx Bombers are hopeful Soto can help them get into the playoffs.