Legendary Yankees announcer makes Juan Soto plea

Legendary New York Yankees play-by-play announcer John Sterling appeared on WFAN shortly before the club's home opener versus the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday and essentially campaigned for team owner Hal Steinbrenner to sign All-Star outfielder Juan Soto to an extension.

"If the Yankees are really great this year and go deep in the playoffs, I don’t see how they couldn’t sign Soto," Sterling told hosts Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata, as shared by Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "Before you say, 'Wait, that’s gonna cost a lot of money,' the Yankees have a lot of money."

Specifically, it's believed that the bidding for Soto "will start at $500M" assuming he reaches free agency after the 2024 World Series. 

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen is expected to drive Soto's asking price up by taking a big swing at landing the 25-year-old. It seems as of the first Friday of April, there's a real chance that Soto could pick the Mets over the Yankees in free agency. 

"If you make it here - I hate to use the cliché - but it’s a big thing if you’re a Yankee and playing right field," Sterling continued. "[Babe Ruth] played right field for the Yankees. [Reggie Jackson] played right field for the Yankees. If the Yankees are good this year, I don’t know how he could go anywhere else and achieve what you could achieve being on center stage in New York."

The Yankees began the season at 6-1 thanks in part to Soto's first performances in pinstripes following the December trade involving the San Diego Padres. 

He entered Friday afternoon hitting .345 on the season with a home run, four RBI and a .924 OPS. He's already impressed with his defensive skills and become a favorite among passionate Yankees fans: