Which team is going to pay Soto potentially around $500 million? Here are some options.
One of the biggest stars in baseball is New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto, and he is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2024 MLB postseason.
The 26-year-old outfielder has played one season with the Yankees after the franchise acquired him last offseason. He played a crucial role in helping his team win the American League pennant but could become one of the biggest names available this winter.
Already a four-time MLB All-Star and a former World Series champion, the former Nationals and Padres standout will draw significant interest from front offices around the league. But where could he sign for a deal that’s potentially worth around $500 million over the next decade or so?
Outside of some of the potential sleepers (e.g. Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox) who could make some surprising magic happen, here are some of his most interesting options:
New York Yankees
The most obvious fit for Soto is to remain with his current employer and sign a long-term deal with the Yankees. He has had some postseason heroics with the organization and would keep them relevant contenders in a lineup already filled with talented player such as Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Jazz Chisholm.
New York Mets
Should he decide to leave the Yankees, another option is to remain in New York but sign with the crosstown rivals. The Mets are considered the “biggest threat” to steal Soto away from the Bronx and have him play in Queens next season instead, which would be a massive win for team owner Steve Cohen. But the big question is if the team would do this and also re-sign Pete Alonso as well.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Shocking as it sounds considering how deep their roster already looks, the Dodgers are another team that could have serious interest in Soto. This is a team willing to spend whatever it takes to make themselves a dominant force on the baseball field and they could continue that relevancy with a big splash like this one.
Washington Nationals
Another possible option for Soto is the Nationals, where he began his career and won a World Series in 2019. According to an ESPN report, Washington would reportedly “love a reunion” with Soto and perhaps the interest is even mutual. Stranger things have happened, though it could get expensive!
SOTO IN WASHINGTON: He might be happy with the Yankees, but the Nationals should bring him home
San Francisco Giants
Before he landed with the Yankees, the San Francisco Giants were one of the teams that tried to trade for Soto. There are already whispers that new Giants executive Buster Posey could try to make a move for the former NL batting champion in his first offseason leading the franchise.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies were one of the best teams in the regular season but failed to reach their expectations during the postseason. He would offer a potential remedy for Philadelphia and could have provide another strong bat in a lineup that already features Bryce Harper, who shares an agent with Soto. Their front office is expected to “strongly pursue” him when the season ends.
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