Hated Red Sox legend has ‘difficult’ admission for Yankees about Juan Soto

True story: Red Sox legend David Ortiz once sprayed “Yankee Repellent” on Juan Soto [WATCH]. Now, he advises the Yankees to keep Soto beyond 2023.

“It’s difficult for me to say this, but he has the pose of a Yankees player,” Ortiz told Dominican sports reporter Laura Bonnelly, according to X (previously Twitter). “The way he is — he presents well, has no beard, and works hard.” This is not a guy who gets involved in terrible situations. He’s devoted to the sport and speaks English fluently.

“If I were the Yankees, I’d offer him a substantial contract because it’s an ideal fit for him.”

The Yankees traded for Soto from the San Diego Padres, giving away four pitchers—Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, Michael King, Randy Vásquez—and catcher Kyle Higashioka during the Winter Meetings.

During his introductory Zoom press conference, Soto was noncommittal about his future beyond 2023 with the Yankees. However, Ortiz, believing it would be unwise to let Soto leave, suggested what the team could do to persuade the 25-year-old slugger to stay.

“If I were in the Yankees’ shoes, I’d offer him a 12-year, $500 million contract,” Ortiz suggested.

Soto is anticipated to earn between $29 million (as per Spotrac) and $33 million (MLB Trade Rumors’s projected arbitration salaries for 2024). He declined a 15-year, $440 million deal from the Nationals in 2022, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Hence, it’s plausible that he could command a figure around what Ortiz recommends.

Soto holds a career .284/.421/.524 slash line with a 157 OPS+. This places him fifth in the highest OPS+ through any player’s age-24 season, with a minimum of 3,000 plate appearances, according to MLB statistician Sarah Langs. He trails only Ty Cobb (176), Mike Trout (170), Mickey Mantle (166), and Jimmie Foxx (166).