The Red Sox have emerged as a favourite — perhaps THE favourite — to land Yankees free agent Juan Soto, two individuals with information of the contract negotiations instructed NJ Advance Media.
The Yankees are nonetheless hopeful of re-signing Soto, however they’re now extra fearful about their AL East rival Red Sox than the crosstown rival Mets, who’ve the richest proprietor in Steve Cohen.
The individuals requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the state of affairs.
One individual mentioned that David Ortiz, a Hall of Fame slugger and Red Sox legend, has been attempting to persuade Soto to signal with Boston by speaking up the town, the group, supervisor Alex Cora and the farm system, which incorporates three of the highest 10 prospects within the majors in MLB Pipeline’s rankings.
The individual with information additionally instructed NJ Advance Media that the Red Sox have instructed Soto that they intend to signal two further big-money free brokers, one other hitter and a pitcher. The Red Sox are also among the many favorites for a winter commerce with the Cardinals for famous person third baseman Nolan Arenado, who’s on the block.
It’s believed the Red Sox, Mets and Blue Jays are all in on Soto, with the Yankees and Dodgers additionally in competition. The 26-year-old outfielder completed third within the 2024 American League MVP vote after hitting .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBI and a .989 OPS in 157 video games final season, his first with the Yankees.
NJ Advance Media reported on Nov. 25 that Soto had obtained first affords from all 5 groups. Improved affords have been made final week, an individual with information mentioned.
One individual with information of the discussions believes the Red Sox, Mets and Blue Jays all have made affords upwards of $600 million whereas the Yankees are within the $550 million vary. A former Soto teammate not too long ago instructed NJ Advance Media that he’s searching for a contract larger than the document $700 million deal that pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani obtained from the Dodgers final winter.
Ohtani’s deal was for 10 years with $680 million deferred.
Soto prefers a cope with no deferred cash, one of many individuals instructed NJ Advance Media.
Soto’s first supply from the Mets was for $660 million, in line with retired All-Star second baseman Carlos Baerga. If that’s correct, the Yankees most likely don’t have any shot at Soto as a result of one of many individuals instructed NJ Advance Media that the Yankees anticipate the ultimate supply to be underneath $600 million and the Yankees are ready to maneuver on if the worth goes above $600 million.
Soto is predicted to area last affords by the weekend and decide throughout subsequent week’s Winter Meetings, which run from Monday to Thursday in Dallas.
If the Yankees lose Soto — and all indicators are pointing to that occurring except he leaves cash on the desk, which might be an enormous shock — they’ll shortly pivot to a Plan B and spend elsewhere.
The Yankees want so as to add one or two outfielders, a second or third baseman, a primary baseman and relievers as a result of they’ve a whole lot of different free brokers who will not be re-signed: First baseman Anthony Rizzo, second baseman Gleyber Torres, left fielder Alex Verdugo and relievers Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahne and Tim Hill.
The Yankees will search for a 3rd baseman in the event that they transfer Jazz Chisholm from third to second.
Free brokers that would entice the Yankees embrace first basemen Pete Alonso and Christian Walker, shortstop Willy Adames or infielder Gio Urshela to play third base, outfielders Anthony Santander, Teoscar Hernandez, Tyler O’Neill, Jurickson Profar and relievers Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez.
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Randy Miller could also be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com.
