Juan Soto Likely Joining One of Two Yankees Rivals: MLB Insider

The Juan Soto sweepstakes could be entering its final stretch with the race down to two teams — neither of which are the New York Yankees.

Adding to the baseball drama, the two teams reportedly in contention for this offseason’s top MLB free agent are the Yankees’ top rivals. And a great Yankee nemesis could sway the end result, making Yankee fans even more livid this offseason.

Rivals in the Lead

The Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets are in the lead for the race to land Soto, according to Randy Miller, who covers the Yankees for NJ.com.

Much has been discussed over the weeks as to what matters most for Soto — and his agent, Scott Boras. Among the factors that have been noted are money, the desire to win, a personal relationship with team ownership, and even respect for his Dominican heritage.

Miller, speaking this weekend to host Ricky Ricardo on New York’s WFAN radio, said the main advantages the Mets and Red Sox have are money, stability, and the ability to win over the longer term.

Money Matters

It’s widely reported that Boras is seeking a blockbuster $700 million deal for his client.

While Boras may not be able to reach that number, it doesn’t look like the Yankees even want to come close.

Miller reported the Yankees have capped what they’re willing to offer Soto at around $550 million. Their assessment is that Soto won’t be offered much more than that by other teams.

But Miller has received unconfirmed reports that “two, maybe, three offers already of over $600 [million]” have come Soto’s way.

Mets owner Steve Cohen, whose net worth is over $20 billion, is an aggressive pursuer of free agents and is in it to win it.

The Revenge of Big Papi

Surprisingly, the Red Sox are also in the mix. That’s unexpected given Boston’s .500 finish this season and offloading of superstar Mookie Betts not too long ago.

However, Miller and others see the Red Sox as in the midst of an Orioles-like upswing, driven by homegrown talent.

The Red Sox also have another tool in their arsenal: Hall of Famer David Ortiz, who led Boston in its miraculous (infamous, for some) comeback in the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees. Ortiz delivered two walk-off hits in Games 4 and 5 and was named ALCS MVP.

Following Soto’s meeting with the Red Sox last month, which included mentions of the team’s rich history of Dominican players, Ortiz was bullish on Boston’s odds of landing this offseason’s top free agent.

He told a Spanish-language outlet, “I see him [Soto] on the Red Sox.”

Behind the scenes, Miller says, “Big Papi is playing a role in this and recruiting Soto hard.” His efforts may be working.

Part of Boston’s sales pitch to Soto is its top prospects who are close to being MLB-bound: Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kristian Campbell — all AAA players in their early 20s.

The Yankees Are Fourth

Miller told WFAN’s Ricardo: “I’m hearing the Yankees fear the Red Sox more than anyone in getting Soto.”

Surprisingly, Miller ranked the Yankees fourth in line to get Soto — even behind the Toronto Blue Jays, whom he said was “all in” on Soto.

But Miller said, “I think it’s gonna come down to the Red Sox and Mets.”

Here’s why.

Soto’s Calculus

Now, along with the money, Soto wants to win. This contract is going to be somewhere in the 10 to 15-year range. It may have some opt-outs, but this could be Soto’s final contract as an MLB player — one that may stretch into the 26-year-old’s 40s.

Although the Yankees made the World Series this year, their roster is deceptively thin and their farm system is even thinner.

Team stability is also important for Soto, Miller contends. He notes manager Aaron Boone could be replaced after the 2025 season. The Mets and Red Sox, in contrast, are on more stable footing, says Miller.

Soto’s own words in October may hint at his forthcoming decision. Ricardo noted that, when asked after the World Series loss whether the Yankees had an advantage over other teams, Soto, “without hesitating,” said no. Miller said that Soto would not even say yes when asked “if the money was right” from the Yankees.

For that and other reasons, Miller says of Soto, “I don’t think he’s going back to the Yankees.”

What Boras Wants

Miller says Soto’s agent Boras is “hell-bent” on setting a new contract record, using the Dodgers to drive up the Mets and Red Sox offers.

The 71-year-old Boras may seek redemption after failing to get Jordan Montgomery and other clients multiyear deals this past offseason.

That $700-million figure, Miller argues, is a real target for Boras.

“I think Soto is trying to get $701 million. He wants to get $1 million more than Ohtani.”

Randy Miller, Yankees Beat Writer, NJ.com

The Yankees’ Plan B

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has signaled he’s willing to throw some serious money at Soto — a change of tune from before the start of the 2024 season. But money isn’t the only factor holding the team back from going all-out on Soto.

A long-term deal could create a logjam at designated hitter. Miller correctly notes that Judge can only play center field for so long. He’ll eventually need to move to a corner outfield position and then on to DH. But so will Soto.

After all, as the Yankees saw during this World Series, Soto isn’t the best defender.

So if the Yankees fail to get Soto, Miller says they could spend “a lot of money on two or three other players to make themselves better.”

This could include free agents Anthony Santander and Pete Alonso, and potentially even Nolan Arenado, via a trade.

And if Soto ends with the Mets or Red Sox, keep two dates in mind: May 16 and June 6. That’s when the Yankees begin, respectively, home series with the Mets and Red Sox.

Soto may be met with the biggest Bronx cheer in history, with Big Papi somewhere in the stadium smiling.