The Juan Soto sweepstakes has reached a conclusion
Outfielder Juan Soto, the top free agent in Major League Baseball this offseason, is reportedly signing with the New York Mets. The Red Sox were viewed as one of the finalists to land him.
The biggest name in Major League Baseball free agency for this offseason is off the board. On Sunday night, ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the first to report that outfielder Juan Soto is signing with the New York Mets. Various reports had the Boston Red Sox as one of the finalists to land Soto up until Passan’s report Sunday night.
Soto, 26, is a rare example of a star player hitting the open market in his mid-20s. With the New York Yankees last year he was one of the best hitters in baseball, slashing .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs in 157 games.
First called up as a 19-year-old with the Washington Nationals in 2018, Soto is a four-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger winner, and five-time MVP finalist. He also spent time with the San Diego Padres, before being traded to the Yankees last offseason.
Given his age and past production Soto’s deal was expected to be massive – and it is. According to Passan the contract is worth $765 million over 15 years, making it the largest deal in pro sports history. It includes no deferred money and escalators that can reach over $800 million. Soto also reportedly has an opt-out after five years.
According to Sean McAdam of Boston Sports Journal, the Red Sox’s offer to Soto “was around $700 million” over 15 years. The Yankees’ offer to retain Soto was $760 million over 16 years according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.
What’s next for the Red Sox? Pitching seems to be the main focus. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote earlier on Sunday that the Red Sox are among the contenders for starters Corbin Burnes and Max Fried. He noted both are expected to go for over $200 million contracts. He also mentioned them as “lurking” for 25-year-old White Sox starter Garrett Crochet, who would have to be acquired via trade.
As for potential additions to the lineup, Nightengale has St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado as a potential trade target. In the outfield MassLive’s Chris Cotillo shared on X/Twitter Sunday night after Soto’s signing that the Red Sox “have yet to step up” their efforts to sign outfielder Teoscar Hernandez.
