Bidding for Juan Soto Darby is expected to reach baseball's magical $700 million mark, bringing a historic end to a heated contest that still pits five big-market teams, including the Mets and current Yankees. There is.
At least four teams — the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays — are believed to be at least within range of an MLB record number previously achieved only by international superstar Shohei Ohtani.
Interestingly, Ohtani's World Series champion Dodgers are one of five finalists who are considered favorites for a bid (but were not ruled out due to other obvious positives). Ta).
Soto's goal going into the winter's big sweepstakes was to identify a consistent winner who would pay him what he was worth, at least in the eyes of baseball's key decision-makers. It turns out that it has meaning.
No team is thought to be economically separate yet, which makes the decision difficult.
Additionally, it is said that offers that have changed within the last day or two are still being received, which could complicate matters.
Soto is known for being very patient (see his at-bats), and while all four high bidders have big upsides, they also have some downsides, making it difficult to see how he'll fare in the future. It's no surprise that he's weighing a decision that could affect him for 15 years (though there will probably be at least one opt-out no matter where he goes).
All the while, fans and even executives are growing worried, primarily about Soto but also how he would pivot if he went elsewhere. .
If he signs, expect some activity at the winter meetings, which begin unofficially on Sunday.
Some may wonder how Soto, as great a hitter as he is, can outdo the uniquely amazing Ohtani. Ohtani's record $700 million contract is valued by MLB officials at between $437 million and $470 million, accounting for an unprecedented $680 million in deferred assets. money.
But consider that Soto, who turned 26 on the day of Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers, is four years younger than Ohtani, who was a free agent.
Another factor is that Soto doesn't seem to have geographic preferences influencing his market as they do with Ohtani. In Ohtani's case, the other top contender other than the Dodgers was the incumbent Angels.
Soto has already played for three teams and was in the Bronx for only one year, but he had a generally satisfying and productive year, posting a .989 OPS and leading the Yankees to the World Series for the first time in 15 years. We have made a foray into the country.
Despite old rumors that he likes the East Coast, friends say he also really enjoyed San Diego.
The American League champion Yankees currently have the best roster of the four high bidders, which definitely works in their favor.
However, Soto reportedly asked questions about their farm system at the meeting, and it was generally a very positive meeting.
It may seem like a minor consideration for a team that has only recorded a winning season since 1993, but it's his calling and he's looking to the future.
The National League runner-up Mets are clearly on the upswing, and deep-pocketed owner Steve Cohen is giving them every chance, but their current roster may be a little questionable. I don't know.
With so many key free agents gone (Luis Severino) or unsigned (Pete Alonso, Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana), their team looks unfinished.
At the meeting, the Red Sox highlighted an impressive list of prospects, a history of Dominican stars (including Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz), and a stunning Fenway Park perfect for Soto's patented opposite-field drive. But they have to deal with the fact that the last three seasons have ended.
The Blue Jays, like the Mets, have the potential to be very aggressive in their bids, but on paper they look like a much better team than what they presented in 2024.
But their two biggest stars, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, will both be free agents after 2025, so their future may be less certain than that of the Yankees, Mets, and certainly the Dodgers. I don't know.
And then there's the Dodgers, who are the wild card for this derby. The Dodgers have the best roster in MLB and appear to be in a very good position to dominate over the next few years.
That's thanks to a stacked pitching staff, a versatile and star-studded position group, and especially Ohtani, who is perhaps the most versatile player in baseball, and whose $68 million annual deferral allows them to do just about anything. It becomes like this.
The Dodgers also hope to re-sign Japanese superstar pitcher Roki Sasaki and star outfielder Teoscar Hernandez.
The possibility of joining what looks like a super team is certainly keeping them in the derby, where the other four teams look understandably more motivated.
