Dodgers Among 3 Favorites to Sign Juan Soto in Free Agency: Report
The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly one of the three favorites to sign Juan Soto in free agency this offseason. Soto is a free agent after his one-year deal with the Yankees expired. One friend of Soto reportedly said that the Dodgers, New York Yankees, and New York Mets are his best guesses for the team Soto will eventually end up signing with, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Since the Yankees lost to the Dodgers in the World Series, Soto has maintained that he is keeping his options open to all 30 teams.
“I don’t know all the teams that are after me, but I’m definitely open to listen,” Soto said. “I don’t have any doors closed. I’m available to all 30 teams.”
Soto is expected to be highly coveted across MLB, and one of the most coveted free agents ever. He is just 26 years old, and already one of the best players in the entire league. Eleven teams have reportedly already inquired about Soto, per Heyman.
According to Heyman, Soto is reportedly after a contract worth $700 million, a total amount that has only been awarded to Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers have been willing to spend in the past, but could Soto’s potential price tag turn them off? The Dodgers designated $1 billion to just Ohtani and Yohsinobu Yamamoto last offseason, and have multiple other players on high-priced contracts.
The Yankees are interested in retaining Soto, who reportedly fit into the clubhouse and helped the Yankees return to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
“I hope he’s here forever,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, via Heyman. “But I also know I’m excited for him and what the next few months are for him.”
During the 2024 season, Soto slashed .288/.419/.569 with 166 hits, 128 runs, a career-high 41 home runs, and 129 RBIs. In the postseason, Soto hit .327 with four home runs and nine RBIs. He made his fourth MLB All-Star Game, and formed a prolific duo alongside Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge.
Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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