Juan Soto has caught the attention of an unexpected team from within the division, adding intrigue to his free agency sweepstakes. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Wednesday that the Tampa Bay Rays have emerged as a potential suitor for the star outfielder. While Heyman notes that the Rays are considered a distant longshot in the competition, they have reportedly made inquiries about the availability of the four-time Silver Slugger winner.
Soto, just 26 years old, is coming off a stellar season where he hit 41 home runs and played a pivotal role in helping the New York Yankees secure the American League pennant. Now entering free agency, Soto is widely expected to command a massive contract this winter.
Many believe his deal could rival that of Shohei Ohtani, given his exceptional power, on-base skills, and ability to elevate a team on the field.
For the Rays, who are a small-market club with significant financial constraints, the pursuit of Soto presents a daunting challenge. In 2024, the Rays operated with a total payroll of just $89 million, ranking 28th in Major League Baseball.
Adding to the challenge, the Rays are still grappling with stadium uncertainties, making their pursuit of one of baseball’s most coveted stars even more unlikely. Despite these obstacles, the Rays appear determined to at least explore the possibility of acquiring Soto, no matter how slim their chances may be.
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The Rays’ interest in Soto speaks to their ongoing ambition to compete with the division’s giants. Adding a player of Soto’s caliber would be a franchise-altering move, providing them with the kind of elite talent that could push their young and talented roster into serious contention.
Even with the financial mismatch, the Rays are known for their creative front office and could potentially explore unique contract structures or trade scenarios to try to land the superstar.
Of course, there are several other suitors for Soto who seem far better positioned to secure his services, including teams with deeper pockets and fewer financial constraints.
Nevertheless, the Rays’ interest underscores how impactful a player like Soto can be—so much so that even small-market teams are willing to enter the fray, hoping against hope to make a big splash.
It remains to be seen how far the Rays are willing to go to bring Soto to Tampa Bay, but for a team with a history of defying expectations, the mere fact that they are in the conversation adds an extra layer of excitement to the unfolding saga of Juan Soto’s free agency.
