DALLAS — Both the Yankees and Mets remain heavily involved in the five-team Juan Soto Derby, with both clubs recently raising their offers to the $710 million to $730 million range (MLB record territory) It is believed that the sweepstakes will reach its historic conclusion within a day or two.
Both teams in New York have shown how serious they are with their recent offer changes, with both teams now extending Shohei Ohtani's record-breaking $700 million-plus contract.
Each offer appears to be within shouting range, although the Mets were considered slightly higher as of Saturday night.
There's no word yet that any of Soto's other three teams (Red Sox, Blue Jays, Dodgers) will opt out of this bid, and it's possible that one of those teams will outscore New York's team and win the Round of 26. It even has sex. -1 year old superstar hitter.
Soto doesn't necessarily go with the exact highest bidder, and is said to be weighing five huge bids on Saturday night.
At least the top four offers are likely to be pretty close.
The Mets understood from the beginning that the Yankees' only untouchable advantage in this sweepstakes was their ability to provide batting protection for two-time MVP Aaron Judge.
While some freshmen scoff at the idea of fielding within the batting order, Judge is the American OPS leader with a 1.159, far better than anyone else, and he's not surprised by Soto's walks. It was rare for him to be at the top of the league.
Judge threw 133 free passes and Soto threw 129.
The Mets are also seen as an attractive destination for Soto, with talks reportedly going well with Mets upper management, including club owner Steve Cohen and team president David Stearns (days later) The same goes for the Yankees meeting). .
The Mets impressed Soto with their incredible performance last year, winning the National League Championship in Stearns' first year as manager.
The Red Sox and Blue Jays are also thought to have made very competitive bids, but the super team Dodgers have no need to add another superstar, so they could bid well over $600 million. surprised me.
All three teams appear to still be bidding, but the Dodgers, with the lowest bid, are still viewed as the least likely destination, despite their obvious appeal.
Soto met with executives from all five teams, including the Yankees, last month, and is said to have gradually become accustomed to the Yankees' environment during his year in the Bronx.
He is believed to have connected with Judge at that level as well.
Judge also made things easy by stating that he hopes Soto can get whatever he can get on the market, even if it means paying more than he is worth.
Coincidentally, if Soto were to sign for exactly $720 million, that would be exactly double the then-free agent Judge's record of $360 million, set just two years ago.
Soto was projected to break Ohtani's current value record of about $450 million, but no one expected him to surpass Ohtani's record by 60 percent. That would be the case unless the money was deferred in the contract.
Ohtani's contract calls for a 97% deferral, with $680 million of the $700 million to be paid at a later date.
