The baseball rumor mill is alive with speculation as the offseason heats up, but one thing that we are hearing quite a bit of is that Juan Soto’s path will not cross with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Recent whispers suggest the Dodgers’ interest in the star outfielder was more of a tactical ploy than a serious courtship. According to reports, the Dodgers were angling to drive up Soto’s price tag in hopes of cooling the market for Teoscar Hernández, their preferred target. Now, with the Dodgers reportedly bowing out of the Soto sweepstakes, the landscape is shifting.
Bob Nightengale reported that the Dodgers may have used their meeting with Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, as a chess move. The idea? Inflate Soto’s market value to keep rival teams preoccupied while Hernández’s contract negotiations simmered. Hernández, who has been a Dodgers’ mainstay this past season, now seems to be in a more manageable negotiating position.
Meanwhile, teams still in the hunt for Soto include heavy hitters like the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays. Each has its reasons for pursuing the generational talent, but Soto’s price tag will be astronomical. Insiders believe Steve Cohen’s Mets have the inside track, with Cohen’s reputation for outbidding rivals looming large. However, the Yankees, Red Sox, and even the Blue Jays could still surprise.
Juan Soto reportedly has offers from these five teams, per @jonmorosi & @RandyJMiller
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 26, 2024
Dodgers Focus on Pitching Depth
Though they’re not pursuing Soto, the Dodgers remain busy elsewhere. They are bolstering their rotation, which carried them through last season’s successes despite numerous injuries. Shohei Ohtani is expected to enter the Dodgers rotation next year, adding a layer of complexity to the pitching staff. He will join Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a rotation that can use all the help they can get.
Mets: Money Talks
The Mets are widely considered the favorites to land Soto, largely thanks to owner Steve Cohen’s willingness to outspend everyone else. Cohen’s deep pockets have already transformed the Mets into a free-agency juggernaut, and Soto’s generational talent aligns perfectly with their championship ambitions. Executives around the league believe the Mets’ financial muscle gives them an edge no other team can match.
For Cohen, signing Soto would signal a clear message: the Mets are all-in on building a roster capable of dominating both now and for the next decade. Soto’s left-handed bat would anchor the middle of the lineup, complementing power hitters like Pete Alonso while adding much-needed consistency.
Yankees: Legacy and Lineup Needs
The Yankees, meanwhile, present a different kind of appeal. They are a legendary franchise, one that thrives on stars who can shine on baseball’s brightest stage. Soto fits that mold. His plate discipline and ability to hit for both power and average helped get the Yankees to the Fall Classic, even if they fell apart once there.
Juan Soto’s Instagram post… pic.twitter.com/LKOKEM7QHn
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) November 26, 2024
While financial flexibility is always a factor, the Yankees have shown restraint in recent years when it comes to megadeals. Insiders suggest the Yankees have a firm number in mind for Soto and may not budge beyond it. That could leave them vulnerable to being outbid by the Mets, but their legacy and competitive roster might still sway the superstar.
Red Sox: A Bold Play for Relevance
The Red Sox are arguably the most desperate team in this race. After missing the playoffs three straight years, they are signaling an aggressive push to return to contention. Reports indicate Boston is looking to land not just Soto but also at least one top-tier pitcher this offseason. This approach would transform the team overnight into a contender in the highly competitive AL East.
Boston’s front office is betting big on this winter to rebuild their reputation and fan base. Adding Soto would provide a centerpiece for their lineup, ensuring they can compete with division rivals like the Yankees, Rays, and Blue Jays.
Blue Jays: The Dark Horse
The Blue Jays are the underdog in this battle, but their inclusion comes with an intriguing twist. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette heading toward free agency in the near future, Toronto faces immense pressure to build a championship-caliber roster. Soto could be the missing piece they need to finally break through in the postseason after years of underachieving.
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