MLB Free Agent Juan Soto Teases Fans With 'Announcement'
The biggest story of the MLB hot stove season is Juan Soto's pending free agency decision.
Soto, who is coming off an All-Star season with the New York Yankees, is the prize of the market this year. The 26-year-old outfielder is being pursued heavily by several teams, including the Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays.
While Soto has already met with these organizations and is reportedly set to begin fielding offers, he set off a firestorm on Instagram Tuesday with his "announcement video."
In reality, the clip was just an ad for Celsius, but was set up like a press conference.
"This wasn't an easy decision. But after meeting with a team, it became clear what I wanted to be," Soto says in the clip before donning a Celsius cap.
"What, you were expecting a different announcement?" Soto added.
Give Soto credit. He knew what he was doing when he filmed this.
Soto was a major story this time last year, as the San Diego Padres were looking to trade the 2019 World Series champion. The Yankees won out on the Soto sweepstakes in early December, sending a strong trade package centered around pitchers Michael King and Drew Thorpe to San Diego.
With the Yankees, Soto produced a .288 average, 41 homers and 109 RBI, teaming with Aaron Judge to form one of the most potent 1-2 punches in baseball. He also led the American League in runs scored with 128.
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 04: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees takes the field prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, May 4, 2024 in New York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Soto continued to put on a show in the postseason, going 16-for-49 with four home runs, nine RBI and 14 walks in 14 playoff games as the Yankees made the World Series for the first time in 15 years.
New York fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games in the Fall Classic, ending the season on a sour note. We'll see if Soto elects to reup in the Bronx, take his talents across town to Queens or leave New York altogether.
