Juan Soto is a free agent for the first time in his career and has drawn interest from several big-market teams, including the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 26-year-old is expected to receive one of the largest contracts in MLB history, with a total value that could potentially exceed $600 million.
There is some thought that Soto may prefer to sign with an East Coast team, but a recent report suggested he will prioritize signing the most lucrative deal.
Additionally, Soto wants to establish a good relationship with the owner of the team he signs with, via Jon Heyman of the New York Post:
While he loved the Judge-led clubhouse, Soto is seeking a strong rapport with whatever owner he’s partnering with for up to the next 15 seasons. And word is he felt better about Steinbrenner and the Yankees after their meeting, when MLB’s most marquee franchise also emphasized its edge over everyone else in revenue, tradition and brand.
Soto is projected to sign a long-term contract that could very well take him to the end of his career, so it makes sense that he would want to have a good relationship with the owner of the team he signs with.
All indications are that Soto enjoyed his time with the Yankees this year, but there were questions over team owner Hal Steinbrenner’s commitment to re-sign him.
However, Steinbrenner eased some of those concerns recently by saying Soto would get the same access to ownership as fellow Yankees superstars Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole if he re-signs with the team.
The Mets (Steve Cohen) and the Dodgers (Guggenheim Baseball Management) also have player-friendly ownership groups, so it will be interesting to see if one of those teams are able to lure Soto away from the Yankees.
Dodgers ‘won’t chase’ Juan Soto
The Dodgers are always opportunistic when players of Soto’s caliber become available, but they reportedly won’t go out of their way to sign him.
If Soto signs elsewhere, L.A. could bring back Teoscar Hernández and use the savings to acquire a shortstop and/or more starting pitching.
Teams began submitting contract offers for Soto, who is expected to command a second round of negotiations that may further highlight which clubs have serious interest.
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