The sweepstakes for superstar outfielder Juan Soto are officially set to heat up, as the highly sought-after free agent is expected to begin receiving formal offers this week.
According to a report from ESPN’s Buster Olney, teams are preparing to make their initial pitches to the 26-year-old phenom, with offers expected to start coming in over the next few days. The early stages of Soto’s free agency have largely focused on meetings with club officials, allowing both parties to get to know each other. Olney noted that, “to date, the process has been about Soto meeting with teams/club officials, and about those officials getting to know Soto.”
Soto’s market is already generating considerable interest, with several high-profile teams vying for the chance to sign the dynamic outfielder. So far, Soto has reportedly met with a number of teams this offseason, including the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and New York Yankees—the latter of which he played for during the 2024 season.
In his lone season with the Yankees, Soto put up impressive numbers that solidified his status as one of the league’s premier players. Over the course of 157 games in pinstripes, Soto batted .288, while setting career-highs in both home runs (41) and runs scored (128).
His stellar performance earned him a spot in the All-Star Game, a Silver Slugger Award, and a third-place finish in the AL MVP voting—finishing just behind his teammate Aaron Judge, who took home the MVP honors.
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Soto’s impact on the Yankees’ lineup was undeniable, as he played a key role in helping the team make a deep postseason run. However, their quest for a championship ultimately fell short, with the Yankees losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series. After the heartbreaking loss, Soto addressed his future, telling reporters that he was open to all possibilities as he entered free agency.
“I don’t know what teams are going to be interested in me during free agency,” Soto said after the World Series. “I’ll be open to [the Yankees] and every single team. I don’t have any doors closed or anything like that. I’m going to be available for all 30 teams.” With those comments, Soto made it clear that he was keeping an open mind and would consider offers from any club willing to make a pitch.
Industry insiders expect that the bidding for Soto’s services will be fierce, with many predicting that he will sign one of the richest contracts in baseball history.
Earlier this month, MLB.com reported that, “many inside the industry expect him to sign a deal worth more than $50 million per season for at least 10 years.” Such a deal would not only make Soto one of the highest-paid players in the game, but it would also reflect his unique blend of power, plate discipline, and overall star power.
Throughout his career, Soto has demonstrated an elite ability to get on base and hit for power, and his resume speaks for itself. In addition to his stellar 2024 campaign with the Yankees, Soto has also had successful stints with the Washington Nationals and the San Diego Padres.
He was a key member of the Nationals’ 2019 World Series championship team, establishing himself as a rising star at just 21 years old. His ability to consistently deliver at the plate, coupled with his charisma and passion for the game, has made him a fan favorite and a coveted free agent.
As the offers begin to roll in, all eyes will be on Soto and where he decides to take his talents next. Will he return to the Yankees and continue building on the chemistry he developed with his teammates in 2024? Or will another team emerge with an offer too good to refuse?
One thing is certain—Juan Soto is about to become a very wealthy man, and whichever team lands him will be adding one of the most talented players in baseball to their roster.
The coming weeks promise to be filled with anticipation as Soto’s free agency saga unfolds.
