"Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are free agents end of 2025" - MLB insider points Blue Jays' obstacle in Juan Soto pursuit versus Mets, Yankees
Amidst reports of the Toronto Blue Jays getting a meeting with Juan Soto, MLB insider Robert Murray points out that star players Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are up for free agency next year.
The Blue Jays have two of their best players on the verge of free agency and there is not much they can offer to outbid their competition in the market.
Speaking on the "The JD Bunkis Podcast," Murray said (after 6:40):
"If you look at it for Soto as well, he clearly wants to win. The Mets present an opportunity where he can get a lot of money... they were on the verge of a World Series this year."
"The Yankees obviously advanced to the World Series. They clearly present a clear chance to win."
"It you look at the Blue Jays, they held on to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette at the dealine last year, but they're free agents at the end of next year[2025]... When you have two of your best players set for free agency the year after, I think that could present an obstacle."
The Toronto Blue Jays are coming off a disappointing MLB season, finishing in the bottom of their division with a 74-88 record. As they work towards becoming a competitive team next year, they have already contacted Juan Soto's agent, Scott Boras, and set up a meeting.
The Blue Jays lost out on Shohei Ohtani last year and MLB insider Robert Murray believes that they will miss out on Juan Soto this year as well. He believes that their competition has more to offer, both in terms both financially and on the field.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone set to meet with Juan Soto as the club continues its free-agency pursuit
While the Toronto Blue Jays have a meeting with Juan Soto in California this week, several teams will be meeting him as well. The frontrunners among those teams are the New York Yankees and New York Mets.
Having made a deep postseason run with the Yankees, manager Aaron Boone says he will be there for the meeting with Soto this week.
"I am planning on being there for that."
Soto will likely consider extending his time in New York following his remarkable year with the Bronx Bombers in 2024. He also built a solid partnership with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. That being said, will it ultimately come down to which team can offer the bigger contract?