What happened in Juan Soto’s former teams the year after his departure?

The Yankees are heading into tough bids against several teams after the Dominican’s decision to sign with the New York Mets.

Juan Soto belongs to New York Mets and although that is news that has caused discontent on the other side of the city, in the Bronx, home of the New York Yankeesnow the focus must be on what will be the next step for the most winning franchise in baseball.

The reality is that no matter how many plans the “Bronx Bombers“At this moment, there is not a single solid argument that can maintain that today they are a better team, without Sotothan they were at the end of the World Series. However, taking into account that the organization must make multiple movements, it can take help from the recent past and the other teams that at one time had Soto and they decided to move forward without him.

The Mets They will be Soto’s fourth team in eight seasons, regardless of all his talent. The outfielder began his career at the age of 19 with Washington Nationals and was an essential part of the nucleus that led the team to win the World Series 2019. Subsequently, unable to agree on a contractual extension with the squad from the American capital, he was changed in mid-2022 to San Diego Padresa team he helped achieve National League Championship Series in that same year, something that had not happened since 1998 and finally, after there was no traction in a contractual extension agreement and with important needs in several departments, the Parents They decided to send Soto to the Yankees before the start of the 2024 season.

Viewing transaction history, Yankeeswho have their own way of doing things, should and can look at what happened in the first year of those teams without Sotolooking for areas to improve and avoid mistakes that could cost them en route upon their return to the World Series.

Starting with the Nationalswhen changing to Soto In 2022, the team began an aggressive reconstruction, which is still in effect, despite the fact that a couple of figures are already visible who could be part of the future core of the team.

In the exchange for Sotowhere it was also sent to San Diego to Josh Bellthe Nationals they received the first baseman Luke Voitto shortstop CJ Abramsto the pitchers MacKenzie Gore and Jarlin Susanaas well as gardeners Robert Hassell III and James Wood.

By 2023, the Nationals They finished in last place in the eastern division of the National League for the fourth consecutive season, although they won 16 more games than in 2022, finishing their year with a record of 71-91. For 2024 they remained exactly the same, being in both seasons, CJ Abrams his most outstanding player. Before 2024, the Padres sent Soto and the gardener Trent Grisham to New York for the pitchers Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquezas well as by the receiver Kyle Higashioka.

In 2024, the team won 98 games and ended up falling in the National League Division Seriesafter missing the postseason in 2023 with Sotobut that could be achieved thanks to a significant improvement in all departments, especially in his pitching, after the integrations received from the Yankees.

By 2025 and unlike the other two teams, the Yankees They lost Soto without getting anything in return, so the transformations will have to come from free agency, as well as from changes with other organizations for players who are already in the organization, which, in principle, could be seen as a disadvantage.

Unless the Yankees They can’t find a partner who works with them. Aaron Judge in the lineup, it is likely that the team will take a step backwards, at least in the offensive aspect for the next campaign, but losing Sotoin the way they lost him, should serve as motivation to go all out after the main free agents that allow them to improve their current situation.