The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially joined the race to sign Juan Soto, adding another serious contender to the pursuit of one of the brightest stars in baseball.
Juan Soto, widely considered the crown jewel of this MLB offseason, has already been busy meeting with several high-profile teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets. The Yankees, whom Soto helped guide to a World Series appearance last season, were believed to be next on his list, with speculation that the two sides held a meeting on Monday, November 18.
Now, the Dodgers are making their move. According to a report from Mark Feinsand, the Dodgers are set to meet with Soto this week, potentially as early as Tuesday, November 19. ESPN’s Alden González later confirmed that the meeting between Soto and the Dodgers is indeed scheduled for Tuesday, sparking anticipation as to whether L.A. can make a compelling enough offer to land the superstar.
Soto is expected to command an astronomical contract. Feinsand noted that Soto could be looking at a deal worth upwards of $500 million, with the possibility of the figure climbing north of $600 million depending on the length and structure of the deal.
Such a contract would place Soto among the most highly paid players in baseball history, but his talent and impact on the field make him worthy of such a price tag.
The Dodgers are no strangers to high-stakes negotiations. The large elephant in the room for L.A. is Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking 10-year, $700 million deal, which the Dodgers executed last offseason. Ohtani’s contract is notable for its unique structure, which defers $680 million in salary for a decade.
Under the terms of the deal, Ohtani will earn $2 million annually through 2034, after which he will collect $68 million each year for the following 10 years. It’s an unconventional deal that has allowed the Dodgers some flexibility in their immediate salary cap, but it also highlights the financial magnitude of bringing in another superstar like Soto.
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The Dodgers, fresh off their World Series victory over Soto and the Yankees, now find themselves looking to reload.
Their quest to stay at the top of the baseball world could take another major step forward if they manage to secure Soto’s signature, adding yet another elite player to an already star-studded roster.
The Dodgers have built a culture of winning, and bringing in a player like Soto would only bolster their chances of continuing that success.
While the idea of Soto joining the Dodgers might seem like a wild outcome, it is a move that makes perfect sense for both parties. Soto is the kind of generational talent that any team would want to build around, and the Dodgers are in a unique position to be able to afford and support him.
Their roster, already loaded with established stars, presents an enticing environment for Soto, and Los Angeles provides the market and the fan base befitting a player of his caliber.
For the Dodgers, this is about more than just adding another talented player—it’s about making a statement. There are certain free agents that, when they hit the market, you simply cannot pass up if you have the means. Juan Soto is one of those players.
The Dodgers, with their deep pockets and championship aspirations, are well-positioned to make a competitive bid for his services.
As the negotiations heat up, all eyes are on L.A. and Soto to see if a deal can be reached that will shake up the landscape of Major League Baseball once again.
The Dodgers have already shown that they are willing to go to great lengths to acquire top talent, and the pursuit of Juan Soto is shaping up to be another bold move in their quest to maintain their status as the premier franchise in baseball.
