The pursuit of star outfielder Juan Soto has taken an interesting turn, as two National League East rivals have made their positions clear. The Philadelphia Phillies have officially bowed out of the race, reportedly after showing only lukewarm interest in the slugger, despite many within the baseball world believing that Soto could have been a strong fit for the team.
In contrast, the New York Mets have emerged as the frontrunners to acquire Soto, according to reports from USA Today. The Mets are seen as leading the charge due to owner Steve Cohen’s determination to not be outbid, making it clear that the Mets are willing to do whatever it takes to secure the superstar’s services. Cohen’s deep pockets and aggressive approach to building a championship roster have placed the Mets in prime position to land Soto.
Several other teams are believed to still be in the hunt for Soto, including the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox. However, each of these teams comes with its own set of challenges that could potentially hinder their chances of landing the All-Star outfielder.
The Yankees, who have a vested interest in keeping Soto, are reportedly constrained by financial limitations. The franchise is desperate to retain Soto, but there appears to be a ceiling on how much they are willing to spend to keep the number 22 in pinstripes. Despite their desire to retain Soto, the Yankees’ budget constraints may put them at a disadvantage compared to the Mets’ open checkbook approach.
The Toronto Blue Jays are viewed as a dark horse in the Soto sweepstakes, much like they were in their pursuit of Shohei Ohtani last year. Although Toronto has the potential financial resources to bring Soto to Canada, uncertainty remains regarding how much they are willing to spend.
Additionally, the Blue Jays are also dealing with the financial obligations of extending their own stars, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, which could complicate their ability to make a competitive offer for Soto.
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Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox have both the financial capability and a significant need for a player of Soto’s caliber. However, recent years have shown a reluctance on the part of the Red Sox to make major financial splashes in the free-agent market.
While they have the resources, it remains to be seen if Boston will make an aggressive push to acquire the slugger.
Notably, the Los Angeles Dodgers are absent from the list of teams actively pursuing Soto, despite having just defeated him and the Yankees in the World Series. The Dodgers’ focus may be elsewhere, as they continue to celebrate their recent success and look to retain their own talent following their championship run.
Soto has remained relatively quiet about his future plans since the Game 5 loss in the World Series that secured the championship for the Dodgers.
After the game, Soto spoke warmly about his time in New York, expressing his appreciation for the fans and indicating that he is open to all possibilities for his future.
However, he has made no definitive statements regarding where he might land next season.
Soto is expected to command a massive contract, potentially stretching up to 12 years and worth over $600 million—similar to the megadeal signed by Dodgers phenom Shohei Ohtani last offseason.
Such a commitment would require a franchise willing to spend big for the long term, and while the Mets seem well-suited for that challenge, it’s still anyone’s game until a deal is signed.
If the current group of contenders remains unchanged, Soto will either continue wearing Yankee pinstripes or make a move to a division rival or even another team within the same city.
The Mets’ aggressive pursuit has certainly positioned them as the favorites, but with baseball’s offseason full of surprises, it remains to be seen where one of the sport’s brightest stars will ultimately call home.
