CLEVELAND—The New York Yankees traded for Juan Soto for one reason: to bring them their first championship since 2009, a drought long enough to qualify as an emergency in the Bronx.They were so certain that Soto was the missing piece that they were willing to part with five players in exchange for just one guaranteed season with him in their outfield.

Yankees outfielder Juan Soto sent the Bronx Bombers to the World Series with his go-ahead three-run home run in top of the 10th inning of Game 5 in the ALCS. Now, searches for “juan soto contract” are trending on Google ahead of the World Series.

Juan Soto was supposed to be the difference-maker, the one who pushed the New York Yankees back to the top.They're one step away.Soto hit a three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning and the Yankees advanced to their 41st World Series — and first in 15 years — by beating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday night.