Los Angeles Dodgers are scheduled to meet outfielder Juan Soto and his agent Scott Boras this week. The rumors that the World Series champions would not be interested have proved to be incorrect.
Furthermore, their meeting is set right after Soto met with his former team, the New York Yankees, on Monday. Owner Hal Steinbrenner, GM Brian Cashman, and manager Aaron Boone met with Soto in Southern California.
Prior to their meeting, the superstar free agent had already spoken with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Boston Red Sox, and the New York Mets. Every meeting so far has been successful, with the outfielder being impressed by them all.
However, Dodgers meeting with Soto threw a curveball into the free agency buzz. Many expected them to focus on re-signing their own players and keeping an eye on Japanese ace pitcher Roki Sasaki.
Sources: The Dodgers are meeting with Juan Soto tomorrow, as @Feinsand first reported.
Yes, it’d be absurd of them to follow a billion-dollar offseason with a $600M contract. But Shohei Ohtani’s first year in LA blew away all their financial projections. And they need an OF.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) November 19, 2024
Moreover, they have already signed MLB’s biggest contract with Shohei Ohtani, which is for 10-years, $700 million. There was also the question of whether Juan Soto would like to settle back West. Regardless, with the upcoming meeting, it seems Soto has enough interest despite the distance.
One American League executive recently spoke on how the final teams to top the charts will be the NY Mets or the NY Yankees. Considering how Soto loved being in New York, and even went to the World Series with the pinstripes, it’s hard to say no.
It’s the Yankees or the Mets. He knows the Yankees well after spending a year there, and Steve Cohen has enough money to give him whatever he wants if he decides he wants him badly enough. It’s tough for me to see Soto winding up anywhere else.
Yankee executive as per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
They also believe the Juan Soto sweepstake will be over by Thanksgiving. While Scott Boras is known to lengthen the free agency time period, he may not do so with his $600 million superstar.
Juan Soto not looking only for heavy priced contracts in free agency
Reports from MLB’s insider Mark Feinsand suggested that Juan Soto is not only looking for high-end contracts in the free agency. He is looking to stay with a team for a lengthy term not only contract-related but also a team that has chances to challenge the World Series.
Given his expectations, many teams in MLB can reach the postseason timeline if they have the right set of players, including Soto in the mix. Soto has already experienced the October games with the Yankees.
He was one of the key figures the team went to the Fall Classic after 15 years, so there’s a high chance he may want to do that again. The Mets and Red Sox will have the same chances given their lineup strength, including Soto.
Kay says Cohen is wiling to go $50 million over whatever anyone else offers Juan Soto, and he doesn’t think the Yanks will be near the $660 million for 15 years that Carlos Baerga said was on the table pic.twitter.com/QjedLqfgWb
— Jonny’s Lasagna ⚾️ (@JLasagna43) November 18, 2024
Especially the Mets as owner Steve Cohen, usually is relentless in giving up on somebody if he has eyes on them. He will undoubtedly give Hal Steinbrenner a run for his money. But how the Dodgers will approach the meeting will be quite interesting. They faced the Yankees in the 2024 World Series and defeated them in five games to clinch the Cup.
