Derek Jeter ‘would like to see’ Yankees make blockbuster Juan Soto trade
Derek Jeter is no longer donning the pinstripes, but he seems to have a good sense of how desperate the Yankees are.
In his new role as a broadcaster for FOX’s MLB coverage alongside Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz, Jeter pitched an ambitious idea for the Bronx Bombers after Tuesday night’s All-Star Game.
During a segment called “Trade You Would Like to See Happen,” Jeter implored the Yankees to look west to bolster their offense — provided the Padres don’t turn it around.
“I do believe the San Diego Padres could get hot and really make some waves in the National League West,” said Jeter, who was the Marlins co-owner and CEO in his time between Yankees player and FOX broadcaster.
“But if they don’t, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Yankees go out and get Juan Soto. You don’t know how long Judge is going to be out, they need some offense, I think it makes sense.”
He told Rodriguez he would play Soto “wherever he wants” — right or left field.
For the 49-42 Yankees, who sit in fourth place in a competitive AL East and one game out of a contested wild card spot, a superstar boost from the likes of Soto could reinvigorate their season, though it would come at a great cost.
The Yankees’ offense ranks 19th in baseball in runs scored and 26th in on-base percentage.
Judge has been sidelined since June 3 with a right toe injury and the Yankee offense has cratered in his absence.
Soto is in the midst of another excellent season.
The 24-year-old outfielder is hitting .265/.419/.479 with 15 home runs on a 43-47 Padres team that has struggled to meet expectations as well.
The Padres, like the Yankees, are in fourth place in their division. However, the Yankees are one game out of a wild-card spot, while San Diego sits six back.
For the Padres to trade the dynamic outfielder, you would have to imagine they would want a similar haul to the massive one they sent to the Nationals last year for Soot.
The package was topped by MacKenzie Gore, CJ Abrams, and James Wood III.
Should Soto become available again — his contract extends through 2024 — any package would have to be substantial, likely including some of the Yankees’ best prospects and potentially MLB talent as well.
Ortiz followed up Jeter’s outlandish wish with a goal of his own on the broadcast: “I would like the Red Sox to get Shohei Ohtani. We need batting and we need pitching but we only got room for one guy.”
“Just give half of the team, I don’t care,” Ortiz said of a potential Boston return package.
