MLB insider "skeptical" about John Henry outbidding Steve Cohen, Hal Steinbrenner for Juan Soto, favors Mets over Yankees, Red Sox in the sweepstakes
With each passing day, new reports emerge about Juan Soto's free agency. The latest comes from Jon Heyman, who said the Boston Red Sox are an emerging contender to sign the star outfielder. While the Mets and the Yankees remain the overwhelming favorites to sign Soto in the eyes of baseball pundits, the Blue Jays, the Dodgers and the Red Sox are also reportedly in the mix.
Soto is likely to command a blockbuster contract, the kind that only a few teams, like the Mets and Yankees, can realistically afford.
Despite recent reports about Boston's interest, MLB insider Robert Murray remains skeptical that Red Sox owner John Henry will engage in a bidding war with Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and Mets owner Steve Cohen.
"I do think the Mets are the team to beat for Juan Soto," Murray said on "The Baseball Insiders" (19:01 onwards). "Their ability to win, compete for a World Series, and their owner, Steve Cohen, who can outbid anyone, make them the front-runner. Maybe the Yankees step up, and Hal Steinbrenner makes an offer that Cohen doesn’t match. Or, perhaps they both make identical offers — who knows exactly what happens there."
"I'm still skeptical about John Henry outbidding Cohen and Steinbrenner for Wano. But my early read is that the Mets are the team to beat. We’ll see if that changes, but that’s where I stand right now."
New York gives new offer to Juan Soto after Red Sox meeting
After Jon Heyman reported that the Red Sox have entered the Juan Soto sweepstakes, holding a meeting with the outfielder, the Yankees appear to have responded by improving their bid. Reports indicate that the Yankees have included opt-outs in their contract offer, addressing a key preference Soto has reportedly expressed.
While several teams have already extended offers to Soto's camp, the next phase of his free agency will likely involve clubs upping the ante to entice the star to sign.
Analysts feel the Mets are best positioned both in terms of money and competitiveness, followed by the Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers and Red Sox.