Juan Soto Traded to the Yankees

[jon abbey]

The move to the Yankees is perfect for Soto as the small right field should boost his power and will likely mask his defensive shortcomings. Hitting in front of Judge could also mean more strikes, so, in theory, more total bases with a slight reduction in walks. I think that combo is going to put up massive offensive numbers next year but I do wonder about the risk of potential injury to Judge playing Center Field.

Agreed on YS RF helping Soto defensively, offensively his power is more towards left-center/center so it won't help him much on paper. I personally think the concern about Judge in CF is overblown. he played there 78 times two years ago in his 62 HR season, he loves playing there, and they clearly got Grisham to play there as much as possible, late in games etc.

As for Soto improving on defense, one anonymous exec (so, take this with a grain of salt) said: “Juan Soto can be as good as he wants to be. He just needs to decide he wants to be.” If the issue is effort/attitude, you'd have to think Soto will be immensely motivated as he approaches free agency.

Maybe, Bryce Harper spent the whole season before his FA not even considering diving for a ball, and had the worst defensive numbers of his career by far that season.

 

[Yo La Tengo]

That "sweet spot" percentage is a batted-ball with a launch angle between eight and 32 degrees.

Imagine what happens the year that Soto hits even slightly more fly balls.

 

[Wingack]

His defensive shortcomings do have to be a small concern when signing Soto to that massive extension.

 

[Yo La Tengo]

His defensive shortcomings do have to be a small concern when signing Soto to that massive extension.

While the teenie right field should help Soto for half his games, if he signs with NYY for the long-term, he's going to be stuck out there for the next 8 years, as the Yankees appear to be locked in on a full-time DH for the foreseeable future, with Stanton under contract for four more years (age 34-37) at which point Judge will be 36 with four years left on his deal.

 

[LogansDad]

I tend to think that defense and baserunning stats are marginally useful, and I predict Soto is going to be a massive offensive force for the Yankees next year. BUT, if he's not hitting (like during his first 3 months in San Diego last year: .224/.382/.388), he doesn't bring much else to the table.

I would argue that if this is his floor, getting on base nearly 40% of the time in front of Judge is a huge improvement. Lemahieu had a .326 OBP last year. Soto and Judge is a WICKED combination.

 

[Wingack]

I would argue that if this is his floor, getting on base nearly 40% of the time in front of Judge is a huge improvement. Lemahieu had a .326 OBP last year. Soto and Judge is a WICKED combination.

It does feel like dealing with Manny and Papi in their primes

 

[Thurms Ghost]

I would argue that if this is his floor, getting on base nearly 40% of the time in front of Judge is a huge improvement. Lemahieu had a .326 OBP last year. Soto and Judge is a WICKED combination.

Michael Baumann at Fangraphs agrees
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/juan-soto-is-going-to-score-a-bajillion-runs-hitting-in-front-of-aaron-judge/

 

[LogansDad]

Michael Baumann at Fangraphs agrees
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/juan-soto-is-going-to-score-a-bajillion-runs-hitting-in-front-of-aaron-judge/

Yep. And the nearly 40% OBP was Soto at his worst, it's more likely to be in the 45-50% range.

Edit to note: this is not me panicking, I am over that stage of my life. I think it is going to be incredible to watch.

 

[Yo La Tengo]

I would argue that if this is his floor, getting on base nearly 40% of the time in front of Judge is a huge improvement. Lemahieu had a .326 OBP last year. Soto and Judge is a WICKED combination.

It is certainly far from useless, as that OBP of .382 would put Soto just outside of the top-10 last year, next to J.P. Crawford, but that OPS would put him in Laars Nootbaar, Nate Low, Mark Canha territory.

Soto has an amazing batting eye and that does create a solid floor for expected production.

It does feel like dealing with Manny and Papi in their primes

If Judge can stay healthy and Soto just matches his career numbers, they are going to be an offensive force to be reckoned with.

 

[Saints Rest]

Folks on the Michael Kay show yesterday were guessing that Judge would stay in the 2 spot with Soto batting behind him at 3. (LeMahieu or Volpe batting leadoff, and Stanton 5, Rizzo 6).

People here are suggesting Soto in front of Judge; do you think Soto bats leadoff?

 

[jon abbey]

I would put Soto behind Judge so that Judge gets pitched to more but it depends how other guys are doing also. Rizzo was hitting incredibly last year before his concussion so if he is back to that, he can hit third and Soto leadoff.

 

[Murderer's Crow]

Is Soto too slow to hit leadoff?

 

[Wingack]

Folks on the Michael Kay show yesterday were guessing that Judge would stay in the 2 spot with Soto batting behind him at 3. (LeMahieu or Volpe batting leadoff, and Stanton 5, Rizzo 6).

People here are suggesting Soto in front of Judge; do you think Soto bats leadoff?

I am seeing a lot of Verdugo/Judge/Soto. You tell me if Verdugo at lead off is a good idea?

 

[BigSoxFan]

I’m sure there are analytical reasons for doing so but feels like it would be a waste to put Soto leadoff. He’s such a tough AB that I’d want pitchers to have more instances of dealing with him with guys on base.

Seems like Volpe at leadoff would make a lot of sense if he can take a step forward this year. Or Verdugo.

 

[Saints Rest]

I am seeing a lot of Verdugo/Judge/Soto. You tell me if Verdugo at lead off is a good idea?

I wonder when the last time a team had its 3 starting OF batting 1, 2, 3. . . .

 

[Yo La Tengo]

I am seeing a lot of Verdugo/Judge/Soto. You tell me if Verdugo at lead off is a good idea?

There were complaints above about LeMahieu's OBP of .326. Vergugo ended the year at .324.

 

[Yo La Tengo]

I would put Soto behind Judge so that Judge gets pitched to more but it depends how other guys are doing also. Rizzo was hitting incredibly last year before his concussion so if he is back to that, he can hit third and Soto leadoff.

What are the reports on Rizzo? Looking at this line-up, he seems to be the critical piece.

 

[Wingack]

There were complaints above about LeMahieu's OBP of .326. Vergugo ended the year at .324.

Well yeah, I was one of those. I would go Soto/Judge/Rizzo every single day.

 

[jon abbey]

What are the reports on Rizzo? Looking at this line-up, he seems to be the critical piece.

He is supposedly OK, he could have played down the stretch if NY was in contention.

 

[jon abbey]

Is Soto too slow to hit leadoff?

Kyle Schwarber seemed to do it pretty well for PHI, and I don't think he's slower or a worse baserunner than LeMahieu (who NY has led off a lot the last few years).

 

[gammoseditor]

Has it been confirmed that Soto is moving to right? Last year Verdugo was a right fielder and Soto was a left fielder.

 

[EvilEmpire]

If Verdugo doesn't play LF for the Yankees it was a waste of time trading for him. I think he will and will be fine there.

With regard to leadoff, I'm fine with whoever between DJ and Rizzo looks best, assuming at least one of them gets back closer to their usual OBP.

 

[Wingack]

DJL did have a .377 OBP in the second half last year. If he can do that, than obviously he can stay at leadoff.

 

[jon abbey]

Has it been confirmed that Soto is moving to right? Last year Verdugo was a right fielder and Soto was a left fielder.

Yes, I think both Boone and Cashman have said this. Fenway RF is like YS LF and vice versa, which is why they're doing it that way. I think it will be Verdugo/Judge/Soto L to R against RHP, Stanton/Grisham/Judge (Soto at DH and Verdugo sits) against LHP.

 

[jon abbey]

Most consecutive seasons leading MLB in walks (Since 1920)

4 Babe Ruth (1930-33)
4 Barry Bonds (2001-04)
3 Babe Ruth (1926-28)
3 Lou Gehrig (1935-37)
3 Juan Soto (2021-23)

 

[Wingack]

View: https://twitter.com/MaxTGoodman/status/1734681308679602545?s=20


From the press conference today.

Also looks like his number will be 22.

 

[VORP Speed]

Extension by Opening Day.

 

[jon abbey]

Extension by Opening Day.

No chance IMO, but anyway the focus of the organization now needs to be on this year's team, there will be time to try to blow away Sotas (Soto/Boras) later if NY chooses.

 

[chawson]

View: https://twitter.com/deeshathosar/status/1734682358635507850?s=46&t=Tl7uNH0-pxEyJtNj1BktDA

 

[Scoops Bolling]

Extension by Opening Day.

Not a chance unless the Yankees do something crazy (and I mean "here's $700,000,000, no deferrals" level crazy). He's a Boras client who will turn 26 next October, and will easily be the top FA on the market. Take everything everyone is saying about Yamamoto and how rare it is to get a potential ace at his age, and make him a hitter (so far less of an injury risk) and give him a track record of MLB stardom instead of NPB...he's going to challenge Ohtani for NPV.

 

[simplicio]

Soto literally wants one thing and it's fucking d...

...eferrals.

 

[jon abbey]

Not a chance unless the Yankees do something crazy (and I mean "here's $700,000,000, no deferrals" level crazy). He's a Boras client who will turn 26 next October, and will easily be the top FA on the market. Take everything everyone is saying about Yamamoto and how rare it is to get a potential ace at his age, and make him a hitter (so far less of an injury risk) and give him a track record of MLB stardom instead of NPB...he's going to challenge Ohtani for NPV.

Also an additional season or even half a season will give NY more info about their own OF prospects in Dominguez (coming back in July or August hopefully), Jones and Pereira, plus more info about whether Stanton is cooked or not, and all of that will help determine how hard NY should go after Soto.

 

[Wingack]

View: https://twitter.com/JuanSoto25_/status/1775873932488474656?s=20


Soto really seems to be on the hype train for his time as a Yankee.

View: https://twitter.com/mikedeportes/status/1775706643264606279?s=20


If he is fully buying into the Yankee mystique, I think the Yankees have a real great shot at re-signing him.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

How big are the Dominican populations in DC and San Diego? I have a feeling he is about to experience community in a way he hasn't in the past and I think that is another advantage the Yankees have.

 

[Wingack]

How big are the Dominican populations in DC and San Diego? I have a feeling he is about to experience community in a way he hasn't in the past and I think that is another advantage the Yankees have.

I can't speak to San Diego much, but here in the DC area there certainly is not the DR population that there is in NYC.

 

[Wingack]

I like this ballplayer.

He is good.