On Wednesday, ESPN’s top on-air personality projected that former New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto would rejoin the Yankees. The generational slugger has only one “excuse” for leaving the Bronx Bombers, but Major League Baseball observers have stated that it is “unlikely” that he would choose that path.
What does it mean to refer to Soto as a “generational” baseball player? Only one hitter in MLB history has ever posted figures comparable to those that Soto has, per a statistical examination of his first six seasons. Ted Williams, who is frequently regarded as the greatest hitter in history, is that hitter.
To put it another way, Soto’s kind of brilliance only occurs once, if at all, every generation. Notably, Williams spent his whole career with the Boston Red Sox while playing in the major leagues from 1939 to 1960.
Soto’s departure from the Yankees is explained by one team.
However, the Yankees have more appearances in the Fall Classic than any other team with 41 appearances, including a five-game loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. They have won 27 World Series titles. Stephen A. Smith, who is currently arguably ESPN’s most recognizable sports analyst, said that Soto’s signing with the Dodgers would be his “one excuse on Planet Earth” to leave the Yankees and sign with another team.
On Wednesday’s episode of the network’s well-liked First Take show, Smith made the assertion in reaction to fellow panelist Chris “Mad Dog” Russo’s assertion that Soto intended to sign with Williams’ former team, the Red Sox. Russo acknowledged, however, that he lacked evidence to back up his claim that Soto, 26, would be bringing his skills to the Fens.
Smith shot back, defensively, “If you don’t have inside information, I don’t appreciate you bringing that up.” “Avoid attempting to jinx anything! Avoid doing that.
Smith then mentioned the Dodgers as Soto’s sole realistic option in the event that the 201-home run star is unable to agree to a new deal in New York.
Smith continued, “This is the point I’m trying to convey to you.” “If you decide to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, there is only one reason why Juan Soto would leave the New York Yankees. No other justification exists for leaving the Yankees.
Los Angeles Considered “Unlikely” to catch Soto
What is the likelihood that Soto will be signed by the Dodgers? The majority of baseball analysts believe the response to be “not very,” despite their stated interest.
This Thursday, MLB.com baseball analyst Mark Feinsand said that “the Dodgers also met with Soto, but sources indicate that Los Angeles is unlikely to sign the four-time All-Star.”
Smith, 57, went on to say that he thought the Red Sox were just the New York Yankees’ “fair-weather stepchild.”
Although the Red Sox have only won eight World Series titles in 13 games, the team’s championship fortunes have turned around since the turn of the twenty-first century. The Yankees have only won one World Series in their last four visits since 2001. In addition, the Red Sox have played in and won four World Series.
Additionally, the Red Sox have emerged victorious in the last three consecutive postseason matchups against the Yankees. Notably, in 2004, they made MLB history by becoming the only team to rally from a 0–3 deficit, winning the American League Championship Series in seven games.
