Speculation about Juan Soto’s free agency began even before the World Series ended. While the Los Angeles Dodgers had long been connected to the Dominican star, there were whispers that their interest was merely a ploy to boost Soto’s market value.
However, an MLB insider recently dispelled those rumors. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Dodgers are genuinely interested in Soto, though he may not be the ideal fit due to the organization’s unique approach to structuring contracts.
“The Dodgers’ interest is real, but they avoid bidding wars, and several of their stars have accepted team-friendly deals,” Heyman noted. He also added that while some doubt Soto’s willingness to return to the West Coast, sources close to him claim he enjoyed living in San Diego and doesn’t have a strong geographic preference.
It’s highly unlikely that Soto would agree to a deferred salary similar to Shohei Ohtani’s contract with the Dodgers. Although Los Angeles hopes to add him to their roster, multiple other teams, particularly the New York Mets and New York Yankees, are prepared to let Soto set his price.
Both New York clubs are viewed as frontrunners, and the bidding war for Soto has reportedly exceeded $600 million, according to The Athletic. Initially, the Mets and Yankees were thought to have an advantage due to geographic considerations, but Heyman’s report suggests Soto is open to various locations.
Despite the Dodgers not facing a geographic hurdle, they may struggle to compete financially, especially as the Mets, Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays drive up the cost. Ultimately, whether Soto ends up in Los Angeles will depend on his willingness to accept an offer that may be less lucrative than those from East Coast teams.
Leave a Reply