New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto had a humorous welcome for the team’s newest pitcher, Marcus Stroman, playfully revisiting a memorable encounter from the previous year. In 2023, Stroman struck out Soto and then imitated the star player’s distinctive “shuffle” move. Upon learning about their new teammates, Soto commented on a video of their interaction, saying, “We shuffle together now,” accompanied by three laughing emojis and a handshake emoji.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Stroman’s contract with the Yankees is valued at $37 million, inclusive of a vesting option. Stroman, who previously played with the Chicago Cubs, had a solid 2023 season with a 10-9 record and a 3.95 ERA over 25 starts, earning his second All-Star nod.
Juan Soto commented on this video of a him and Marcus Stroman on Instagram saying “we shuffle together now” 🤝
(via IG/mlbnetwork) https://t.co/DCEoWHBrsK pic.twitter.com/v2obt09mYO
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) January 12, 2024
Stroman is set to join the Yankees rotation behind Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole, although the impact on the team’s pursuit of Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell remains uncertain.
It turned out to be a good day for both Stroman and Soto. Prior to the news of Stroman’s deal, Soto and the Yankees reached an agreement, avoiding arbitration with a one-year, $31 million contract. Soto’s deal now stands as the largest by an arbitration-eligible player, surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s $30 million contract in 2023.
In addition to Stroman and Soto, the Yankees also secured deals with nine other players, including Nestor Cortes, Trent Grisham, Alex Verdugo, Gleyber Torres, and Jose Trevino. Soto, traded from the San Diego Padres in December alongside Grisham, is gearing up for his first season in the Bronx. Despite being a six-year veteran, Soto is only 25 years old and is coming off a productive season, hitting a career-high 35 home runs and tallying 109 RBIs, just one short of his personal best.
