TAMPA – For the second straight 12 months, questions on Juan Soto peppered Aaron Decide’s first media availability of spring coaching.
Solely this time, Soto is an ex-teammate, somewhat than a brand new one, after signing a record-setting, 15-year, $765 million contract with the crosstown rival Mets. The Yankees, unable to retain the 26-year-old famous person, completed second with a 16-year, $760 million bid.
Soto’s resolution – and earnings – rocked the baseball world in December, particularly in New York Metropolis. Decide, nevertheless, wasn’t all that shocked.
“I wasn’t too surprised by it,” he stated Monday. “I think that’s where he wanted to be. I think that’s where it was best for him and his family. He got a pretty nice deal over there, so you can’t say no to that. I’m happy for him. He got a good deal. He’s gonna be in a great spot. It’s gonna be great having him in town. We’re gonna be battling back and forth for quite a few years.”
Decide stated he tried to speak with Soto over the offseason, however the latter modified his quantity. They’ve since caught up, however there might be no second collaboration between the 2 after Decide gained his second MVP whereas Soto completed third for the award in 2024.
The 2 had been a pairing for the ages and led the Yankees to the playoffs and World Collection. However after dropping the Fall Basic in 5 video games and sloppy trend to the Dodgers, Soto felt the Mets would give him the very best probability to win all through the length of his prolonged contract.
“That’s his opinion,” Decide stated. “He can say what he wants. I definitely disagree with him.”
Soto spent his solely season within the Bronx hitting second in entrance of Decide. He loved the very best 12 months of his profession, slashing .288/.419/.569 with 41 dwelling runs, 109 RBI, a 180 wRC+ and an 8.1 fWAR.
Decide, in the meantime, led all of his friends in dwelling runs (58), RBI (144), walks (133), OBP (.458), slugging (.701), OPS (1.159), wRC+ (218) and fWAR (11.2). He additionally ranked third in common (.322) whereas hitting third full-time, one thing he had not accomplished up to now.
Decide has principally hit second all through his profession, which is getting into its tenth season. Nonetheless, he wouldn’t thoughts operating it again within the three-hole.
“I’d love to hit third again,” he stated. “I’ve told [Aaron Boone] that since the first day, but I’ve always been about wherever you need me. If it’s hitting third, hitting second, hitting last. I’ll be anywhere that helps shape this lineup the way we need to.
“We’ll see what happens, but I really don’t care where I hit.”
Having Decide hit third final season made plenty of sense, as Soto’s left-handed swing allowed Boone to maximise his lineup steadiness with a right-handed hitter – Gleyber Torres ultimately took over the position – main off. Soto’s elite capability to work counts and get on base additionally gave Decide extra alternatives to see pitches from the on-deck circle and to drive in runs.
This 12 months, nevertheless, the Yankees don’t have an apparent leadoff man. Names like Jasson Domínguez (switch-hitter), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (lefty), Cody Bellinger (lefty) and Anthony Volpe (righty) have been thrown round, and the Yankees may rotate leadoff hitters primarily based on matchups.
However for now, Boone doesn’t sound shut to creating a call that may even impression the place Decide slots in.
“I also know he loves hitting third,” Boone stated Sunday. “A lot determines on who’s hitting in that leadoff spot and who’s in that two or three spot.”
Added Decide: “I’m excited about the lineup. I don’t know how it’s all going to work out, who’s gonna bat where and all that, but up and down this lineup we’ve got guys who are gonna have good at-bats.”
Whatever the order, there are actually some questions on what the Yankees’ post-Soto lineup is able to.
Decide famous that the Mets obtained a “one of a kind” participant. The Yankees, in the meantime, obtained Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt. In addition they have uncertainty at third base as DJ LeMahieu headlines that competitors.
Proprietor Hal Steinbrenner not too long ago expressed hope that Bellinger and Goldschmidt, two former MVPs, could make up for a “good deal” of Soto’s offense, however that may require them to show again the clocks. Bellinger’s swing ought to take pleasure in Yankee Stadium’s brief proper subject porch, however he’s coming off nothing greater than a stable season. Goldschmidt, in the meantime, endured the worst 12 months of his profession in 2024 and is 37 years previous.
Nonetheless Decide is proud of the way in which the Yankees pivoted on offense after dropping Soto.
“You can’t replace a guy like Juan Soto,” he admitted, “but you bring in guys like this who are All-Star, MVP caliber players, we did a pretty good job.”
