Dodgers Will Have Interest in Yankees’ Juan Soto This Winter: Report

Although the Los Angeles Dodgers are playing against New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto in October, the team is interested in recruiting him this winter, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Once again, the battle to land Soto will likely be west coast versus the east coast. The Yankees and New York Mets are the favorites to sign Soto, but the Dodgers have also popped up in the conversation.

Thanks to Shohei Ohtani deferring 97 percent of his $700 million salary, the Dodgers are in a prime position to sign a high-profile star like Soto.

All three franchises certainly have the money to sign Soto, a player who will likely set a salary record. However, the question remains if Soto would be willing to head back to California.

After being a member of the San Diego Padres and a current star for the Yankees, could Soto really come to the rival Dodgers? It sounds unlikely.

Furthermore, there was speculation during his time in San Diego that Soto preferred to be on the East Coast. There also lies the question of the Dominican star’s position: right field.

The Dodgers don’t need a right fielder since the team has Mookie Betts who is arguably the best right fielder in the majors. If Soto were to come to Los Angeles there’s a possibility he would play in left field, which would practically guarantee the departure of fan favorite Teoscar Hernández.

Hernández has voiced time and time again that he hopes to remain in Los Angeles. Bob Nightengale of USA Today told Dodgers Nation Doug McKain that he could see the Dodgers signing Hernández to a five-year, $100 million deal.

“Everybody’s looking for guys who can slug and he’s one of them,” Nightengale said. “He’s proven it. Seattle messed up by not giving him the qualifying offer. I think the Dodgers will kind of set a price, just like they did with other guys whether it’s (Corey) Seager or somebody else. ‘We’re willing to go to this, if (the contract demand) is higher than that we’ll look elsewhere.’ He fit in nicely. They love the job he’s done. It’s hard to find those guys. Why not bring him back?”

But the latest report regarding the Dodgers’ interest in Soto would mean Hernández would land with another team this winter.

Soto coming to the Dodgers almost feels like when Manny Machado played for the team. It isn’t a right fit.

Photo Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

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