The Yankees have upped their initial bid for superstar free agent outfielder Juan Soto in recent days, likely increasing their position in a free agent sweepstakes involving at least five major teams, according to a person familiar with the matter. It is said that it has improved.
The incumbent Yankees have made it clear that they are determined to maintain their goal of being in first place, but they also understand that the highly anticipated Derby is still only in its infancy. The situation remains fluid, and any of the other four or more interested teams still have a chance to win the winter prize.
The Yankees recently held calls with free agent stars Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, as well as other potential players, but the Yankees still hit 41 home runs, had a .989 OPS and finished third in MVP voting. The focus is only on Soto who entered. During his only season in the Bronx.
Barnes and Fried haven't received any offers yet, and they like both pitchers, but the Yankees' plans should Soto go to the Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox, Blue Jays, or perhaps an unknown team. It is also possible that it is only part of B. .
The Soto derby appears to be in for a second round bid, with these four teams (or more) still in the game.
The 26-year-old Soto is expected to set a record-breaking contract, with some teams reportedly willing to pay more than $600 million, though no specific numbers have been released yet.
Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers' two-way international superstar, holds the current record with a hefty deferred contract of $700 million, with 97 percent of that amount deferred without interest, making him worth approximately $400 million. It is pegged at $50 million.
Soto is believed to be interested in a 15-year contract that runs into his 40s. Considering he'll be a free agent again in his 20s, it might make some sense to sign him to a very short-term deal with a super-high salary, but especially if he opts out long-term. There are also rumors that he is not interested in it, as he is expected to receive it. transaction.
The Yankees have told Soto they intend to include an opt-out as part of their package for the 26-year-old superstar, but multiple teams are expected to comply with that request, so that could separate them. is low.
Soto's meeting with the Yankees a week ago on Monday went “very well,” from Soto's perspective, according to people briefed on the matter. There was some skepticism about how aggressively the Yankees would bid, but they've now made their intentions pretty clear.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner also attended the meeting and expressed strong interest in bringing the star back to the Bronx. Soto has had at least four other meetings with club owners, all of whom were eager to make a big splash this winter.
While the Yankees are widely perceived as the favorites due to their incumbent status and MLB's highest income, the other four teams known to be bidding are all ambitious and attractive in their own way. It's on point.
Mets owner Steve Cohen has also made Soto a top priority, and with the Red Sox, Jays and Dodgers also showing strong interest, this should give the Mets a good chance of luring Soto around town.
Boston is reportedly trying to sell Soto on the basis that Fenway is the perfect ballpark for him, and they reportedly had productive talks as well. The Red Sox are looking to find success in free agency after essentially missing the last few winters and seeing their fortunes decline.
The Jays, who have deep pockets, also seem to be very interested. And the Dodgers remain an interesting wild card in this tournament.
They are considered a long shot due to their already stacked roster, and several other teams could discount them following Blake Snell's $182 million contract. Maybe they are, but with the best roster in baseball and the ability to attract top talent, they have a lot more to come, and there's still no talk of them leaving this party. do not have.
