After meeting with the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees finally had the opportunity to sit down with Juan Soto as the superstar slugger continues to navigate the free-agent process to pick his next destination.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Soto’s meeting with the Yankees went “very well,” and he is slated to talk with the Los Angeles Dodgers next.
It would be strange if Soto’s in-person meeting with the Yankees went poorly, given that he played for them during the 2024 season.
Scott Boras, Soto’s agent, is also using a variety of bargaining strategies to ensure that all of these meetings go smoothly.
Soto said his meeting with Mets owner Steve Cohen and other front office officials went “very well” last week. His travels to the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays left him impressed with what he heard.
This is not to disregard the Yankees—or any of the other clubs in contention—because a good meeting is far preferable to one in which Soto was not engaged.
Heyman did mention that the “perception” is that the Yankees have a tiny advantage over the rest of the league because Soto had a good first season in the Bronx.
The Dodgers’ interest in Soto could merely be an attempt to entice other teams to enhance their bids. ESPN’s Jeff Passan said on November 12 that the 2024 World Series champions “won’t chase” Soto in free agency, in part because his defensive limitations would create a stumbling block with Shohei Ohtani plugged in as designated hitter for the foreseeable future.
However, Passan stated that the Dodgers “would gladly” consider Soto if his market were surprisingly soft.
Given the amount of heavyweight teams already in discussions with Soto, it appears doubtful that scenario will play out. His contract is expected to be worth $500 million over ten years.
It could be argued that among the clubs interested in Soto, the Yankees need him the most. He was a driving force in their lineup throughout the season and playoffs, helping them reach the World Series.
Soto, a four-time All-Star, hit 288/.419/.569 in 157 games for the Yankees in 2024, including a career-high 41 home runs. He is a finalist for the AL MVP award, alongside Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr., which will be presented on Thursday.
