Juan Soto is on track to earn at least the second-largest contract in MLB history, and it doesn’t take long to figure out why.
One could argue no player has hit free agency at a more perfect time than Soto, at least since Alex Rodriguez a quarter-century ago. Soto has everything a team could be looking for: he just turned 26, has one of the most complete offensive profiles in recent history between his power and patience, has no injury history whatsoever, and has performed in the postseason.
After hitting a career-high 41 home runs in and helping take the Yankees to the World Series after arriving in New York this past season, a contract north of $600 million could be on tap.
The Soto sweepstakes are loaded with powerhouses, from the Yankees and Dodgers to the Mets and Red Sox. At least one other team is also heavily involved, setting the stage for what could be a long, winding road to a final decision for a player who could easily have a plaque in Cooperstown when all is said and done.
The Sporting News is tracking the latest Juan Soto rumors as the superstar inches closer to a free agency decision.
Juan Soto news: Latest updates, rumors for MLB free agency
Mets, Yankees offers for Soto in $710-730 million range
The Mets and Yankees have both made offers for Soto in the $710-730 million range, Jon Heyman reports, indicating the slugger’s contract will break Ohtani’s record.
The Mets’ offer “may be slightly higher,” Heyman says, but at least four of the five offers on the table for Soto are believed to be in the same ballpark. No team has been told it is out of the running yet, despite a report Tuesday that Soto was preparing to start eliminating teams.
Soto ‘unlikely’ to make decision on Saturday, per report
It’s growing increasingly likelier that Soto will reveal his free agency decision after Saturday, according to MassLive’s Sean McAdam. Per McAdam, there’s a “better chance of it happening on Sunday.” McAdam also revealed that the Red Sox are still in contention for Soto’s services at present.
Four teams in the range of $700 million, Dodgers “longshots”
According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and Blue Jays all have offers “in the ballpark” of 15 years for $700 million. He also said the Dodgers appear to be “longshots” in the negotiations based on how the bidding has gone, even though they haven’t been told they are out.
Mets will exceed any offer
The Mets have always been considered one of the favorites for Soto, and still appears to be the case. ESPN’s Jorge Castillo reports that Mets owner Steve Cohen is determined to land Soto and will go as far as to exceed any offer for the star free agent.
Carlos Mendoza’s son hints at Mets’ offer on TikTok
Date: Dec. 6
On TikTok, Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza’s son responded to suggestion that Soto would sign with the Red Sox by saying that the Mets offer to Soto is 15 years and $700 million. The account is confirmed to be Mendoza’s son, while the offer is unconfirmed by MLB insiders.
Yankees haven’t been told they’re out of running
As Soto is reportedly in the Dominican Republic thinking over his decision, the Yankees are one of the teams that hasn’t been told they are out. In the meantime, the Yankees are contemplating other options to either pair with Soto or as a backup plan, like Max Fried, Corbin Burnes, Willy Adames and Pete Alonso.
Red Sox remain involved, recently upped offer for Soto
The Red Sox remain involved in the Soto sweepstakes, according to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, who confirms other reports that a decision is expected before the end of the Winter Meetings (Dec. 12) and could come before they start on Sunday night.
Boston recently increased its offer to Soto, Speier reports, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it exceeds all other bidders. All teams still in the mix for Soto are believed to have made offers of at least $600 million.
The Red Sox reportedly want another meeting with Soto and agent Scott Boras for the purpose of figuring out if they need to reach a certain price point to land the free agent star.
No indication Yankees will have right to match Soto offer
There is no indication the Yankees will be given the chance to match the highest offer for Soto, Jon Heyman reports, debunking rumors that New York will have final say.
Five teams remain in Soto sweepstakes
The Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Mets, and Dodgers are all still involved in the Soto sweepstakes, according to Jon Heyman, meaning no reported suitor has been eliminated yet.
A decision is expected “within days,” though that doesn’t clarify whether Soto will make the call before or during the Winter Meetings next week.
Soto deal could land in $750 million range
It “does not seem out of the realm of possibility” that the final Soto contract will be in the range of 15 years and $750 million, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.
Both Olney and Jeff Passan add that deferrals could be part of any deal, though that might not come as a surprise to anyone who has taken note of how the Dodgers in particular have managed their finances by dealing out deferral-heavy contracts.
Soto contract to exceed $600 million, potentially set record
All five contract offers for Juan Soto are believed to be worth at least $600 million, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, who adds that it’s still possible for the final deal to beat Shohei Ohtani’s record $700 million contract.
Soto is expected to decide before the start of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 9.
Soto decision expected by end of Winter Meetings
The “process of eliminating teams” has begun for Soto, with a decision expected by the end of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 12, according to Ken Rosenthal.
Bidding is believed to be $600 million or higher for each team still involved in the process, and each team involved has already made an offer to Soto.