Could Juan Soto be the next $700 million man? The free-agent outfielder is slated to get a hefty payday shortly. Free agency is on the cusp of beginning, and players will soon receive pitches from ballclubs. Soto is the crown jewel of this year’s class.
At only 26 years of age, Soto is just tipping into his prime. A veteran of multiple World Series coupled with his prowess as one of the game’s best hitters, he’s about to cash in on some serious coin. This article will handicap the field. We’ll break down the tier of contenders as we analyze who could be best positioned to land the talented slugger.
The Favorites: New York Mets, New York Yankees
This one could come down to the two teams in the Big Apple. Soto’s year with the Yankees was a roaring success. He brought much-needed balance to the lineup opposite Aaron Judge. His profile is that of a future Yankees legend. Considering his age, and his ties to the Dominican Republic — where many people with Dominican heritage live in the city — he’s immensely popular. The Yankees cannot let him go anywhere else.
However, they’ll get some stiff competition from the team in Queens. Steve Cohen is ready to splash some major cash — with Soto being the rumored primary target. Fitting Soto alongside Francisco Lindor would give the franchise a much-needed pillar headed into the future. One can make the case that the Mets’ future looks somewhat brighter compared to the Yankees. It would be disastrous for the Yankees to be out-bid by the Mets in this scenario. It’s an added angle making this free agency situation far more fascinating.
Soto should expect to get offers in the $600 million range by both clubs. Will he automatically go for the most money, or will he opt for the familiarity in the Bronx should both offers be relatively even?
Next Tier: Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have a couple of things going for them. They are on the East Coast — somewhere Soto is rumored to want to be. Philadelphia has a track record of winning. The franchise also isn’t shy about spending money. In recent memory, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper both got massive deals by the Phillies. Soto has experience in the NL East dating back to his time with the Nationals. Philadelphia could try and convince Soto to come and enjoy the hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. Expect Philadelphia at the very least to check in and gauge interest.
Possible Entrants: San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals
San Francisco has been wanting to make a splash for a while. With future Hall of Famer Buster Posey now running things, could Soto be coerced into heading out to the Bay Area? The Giants have deep pockets, a great fanbase, and a major need for a superstar. Some have theorized about a potential Soto-Nationals reunion. Washington does boast an exciting team with some good, young talent. Toronto offered Ohtani a boatload of money last year. Could a Soto-Bo Bichette-Vladimir Guerrero Jr. core get the Blue Jays into contention?
Darkhorse: Los Angeles Dodgers
Could the Dodgers really pull this one off? Some believe they’re being mentioned to drive up the price between the two New York clubs. However, as we’ve seen time and time again with this organization, we wouldn’t put anything past them. The Dodgers are as creative, efficient, effective, and professional as any in the sport. If there’s one team that could conceivably beat the odds and figure out a way to get Soto to join a core of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and company, it’s LA.
