The Soto Sweepstakes are nearing an END: All the newest news and rumors
Free Agent Outfielder Juan Soto
The MLB Offseason is underway, and the first big chip is off the block after Cy Young LHP Blake Snell signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, the big fish is still available to sign as 26-year-old OF Juan Soto has not yet signed with a team. The rumors have heated up, and with that comes fake reports of imminent deals being agreed upon. As of December 6th, OF Juan Soto is a free agent, and only he and his agent, Scott Boras, know his situation. The most aggressive teams have been reported to be the New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox, with the Toronto Blue Jays as a dark horse. Jack Curry reported on an episode of Yankees Hot Stove that "the Yankees have had several productive conversations with Soto. Soto will beat the present-day value of Ohtani's deal. Yankees are willing to swim in those waters and have made it very clear to him that they want him back." As many can recall, Jack Curry is one of the most accurate reporters the Yankees have and has been correct on a number of reports. MLB Network has been told that the Red Sox and Mets are the strong favorites. There have been reports of the Blue Jays owner willing to go all in, and there have been reports of Steve Cohen willing to tack on an extra $50M over the highest bidder. Many "reports" are coming out from all channels. This works perfectly for Soto and Boras because it applies pressure on the other teams.
The only REAL news we know is that Juan Soto has begun his elimination process and will soon decide. His signing is expected to be reported before winter meetings start this upcoming Monday, December 9th. He will have final meetings this weekend with owners, and it's expected it'll come down to the Mets, Yankees, and Red Sox. All teams could desperately use the All-Star outfielder because, let's face it, he's great. Numbers have already exceeded $600M, with the expected final price to be $700M, as it's rumored he wants to be the highest-paid player ever. It is EXPECTED, not reported, that Soto and Boras will bring the biggest offer to the Yankees and see if they could match it. Many think this is a fact, but it is merely an assumption. However, it makes sense because what player would not want to be a Yankee? Nothing is guaranteed in baseball. The opportunity to play for an all-in billionaire owner like Steve Cohen or join a long line of great Dominican Red Sox at Fenway Park could sway Soto to the Mets or Red Sox.
I personally think that if the Yankees come close enough to the biggest offer Soto gets, he'll re-sign. When the Yankees go big on a free agent, they usually get him. In recent years, we've seen them aggressively pursue OF MVP Aaron Judge and SP Ace Gerrit Cole when both were available in free agency. The Yankees have a plan B to counter the loss of OF Juan Soto as they've made their interests in SP Max Fried, SP Corbin Burnes, OF Cody Bellinger, and SS Willy Adames abundantly clear. The Mets have already begun their offseason, signing a middle-to-end side of the rotation SP Frankie Montas. They've also started conversations regarding RP Clay Holmes and are still working to re-sign their 1B Pete Alonso. The Red Sox have also begun their offseason with the signing of RP Aroldis Chapman, which was met with many mixed opinions. Many are optimistic that he can be a solid arm, but most think his best days are far behind him. There have also been rumors that they'd love to acquire the pair of 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and OF Juan Soto with 3B Rafael Devers. Creating a David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez Dominican Dynasty pairing like in their past championship days.
However, it'll only be a matter of time until we get the verdict. The Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox seem to be the primary landing spots. Pinstripes, Grimace, or the Green Monster? Who will be the highest bidder? Congratulations, Scott Boras. It's been another heck of an offseason.
