Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is scheduled to fly to Southern California for an in-person meeting with Juan Soto and agent Scott Boras, report Mark W. Sanchez and Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The Post reports that the sit-down will occur in about a week a half — a few days after Boras and Soto welcome Mets owner Steve Cohen.
Boras suggested at this week’s GM Meetings that Soto plans to meet with the ownership group of every team that is pursuing him. That made it an inevitability that he’d sit down with each of Cohen and Steinbrenner. The Yankees and Mets are the two most obvious suitors for the market’s top free agent.
Plenty of teams would love to bring Soto into the fold. Heyman reported last week that at least 11 teams had reached out to Boras to express interest — the Giants, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Red Sox among them. Still, there’s speculation throughout the industry that Soto is likeliest to land with one of the New York teams. Boras has publicly stated that Soto is willing to sign anywhere. Saying otherwise wouldn’t do his market any favors, of course.
Phillies owner John Middleton opined today that the bidding may come down to the Yankees and Mets. “I’m afraid Juan Soto wants to be in New York, and I don’t mind being a stalking horse,” Middleton told Conor Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “At some point, if [president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski] and I get that feeling, we’ll probably say, ‘You know what, we’re not going to win this’ because we’ve both been the stalking horse before. And if I were an agent, I would do it too. It’s perfectly good strategy. I mean, it’s smart. But at the end of the day, I just think he likes New York.“
Let the games begin (:
Biker – This would be the conversation with the Red Sox:
“Hey Scott, you owe us a $50M rebate on Yoshida. So let us know how much you want for Soto, and we will deduct it from our forthcoming lowball offer. Say hello to Jeanette for us.”
“Hello, Scott. What percentage of the team are you expecting?”
“I tried to sign him. I even met with Boras! But I can’t afford him. We can’t compete with the bigger markets. The league caught up to me. But we have Judge, Dominguez, and Grisham. We’re good.”
This gave Michael Kay such indigestion…lol. Anyway, I fully expect this to be a Harper & Machado-esque pursuit of Soto. Either choose the most money or the Yankees brand, but not both.
I think it’s Giants or (most likely) Mets. I beg Hal not to make the mistake of pivoting to Pete Alonzo if Soto doesn’t sign…. That has “Cashman mistake” written all over it.
Giants are set to drive the price up for the team that signs Soto.
Sounds like that’s a Giant price increase.
gravel, not really. Read this: nytimes.com/athletic/5906532/2024/11/07/sf-giants-…
Thanks for the reading material norcalblue.
Really hope SFG passes on this guy.
Same story every year. They get used to drive up the price and pivot to who’s ever left. Takes up too much time and frustrates the fan base. Soto IMO is also older than his fake birth certificate says.
Old – Teams use agents too. It’s good business to make a rival pay more for a player by driving up the price
Have the Yankees ever not gotten a player they’ve truly wanted? If so, you count the times that’s happened on one hand. If they truly want him, they’ll get him.
Wide – The Yanks aren’t the King of Spending anymore. They lost out on Ohtani and Yamamoto last year …. remember?
Not anymore George is dead. The kids don’t spend like daddy did.
Nobody driving nothing up as teams will only offer what they are willing to pay and wiill walk away asking price is ridiculous
I don’t think you understand how this whole thing works…
You can almost here Cashman saying, “Pete Alonso will play important defense for us, and bring a powerful bat to the lineup. His leadership skills are unmatched, and he loves being in the New York spotlight.”
Every time I hear Pete Alonso to the yanks I think Luke Voit
Oh man Clip that’s what I’m worried about. The ole’ Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran and Brian Roberts special lol. Cash couldn’t stop patting himself on the back for that offseason too. Thought he was so sly until those 4 actually started playing and the fast declines set in.
Watch the Mets scoop Soto but then also re-sign Alonso. Where would Hal pivot then? Trade for Arenado?
RCT: I don’t think Cash would do that; unfortunately, I think he may go to Bregman. But, honestly, your hypothetical would not surprise me from Cohen. I think he’s primed to do something exactly like that. If he does, that’s awesome for you guys.
This is over. The new Yankees don’t have the balls to spend what it’s going to take.
Arron Judge would like you to hold his beer
Soto’s contract will make Judge’s look like a mid-tier free agent.
Not saying that the Yankees won’t win the bidding war, but Soto may come pretty close to doubling Judge’s deal.
True enough but if the yankees dont get him it wont have anything to do with a lack of balls lol
Isn’t anyone willing to ask why he should make that much more than Judge?
He is a more complete hitter and is six years younger than Judge.
Really? How many 10 WAR seasons does Soto have?
Hitter maybe if power continues.
Overall value lower, though. Judge’s defense and baserunning superior.
CardsFan57 – Soto reaching free agency at about a year older than Judge was when he made his major league debut pretty much explains why he is going to cost a ton more than Judge.
Why in AAV?
King – I agree. Soto will likely end up with a $47M-$50M AAV, and he will get likely a 13-15 year contract which means a total contract of $611M-$750M.
Insane numbers now, but in 10 years the $47M-$50M AAV won’t be so crazy compared to other salaries at that time.
@rivers – Soto was a gold glove finalist. And after the WS blunder, not sure I’d use the word “superior.”
I pray to GOD Yankees do not sign Spto as it will be the best thing that happened to them as they can put a much better team together without Soto and for for less than 500-700 million.
Judge took less money to stay with the Yanks. Giants offered him more. Soto isn’t giving anyone a hometown discount. He wants to set the record with this contract, and it’s a record he wants to last for a looooooong time.
At some point horrible long term contracts will serve as a warning. How many have returned value for the money spent? That Trout contract went as sour as the Pujols contract immediately.
Cardsfan57,
Long term contracts that have worked are far and few, but I can name maybe two that worked out. The initial Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander contracts were money well spent. But I agree, far too many don’t work. As a Cubs fan, I should know this, the Heyward contract comes to mind.
Don’t sleep on Lester, that was a fantastic contract for the Cubs.
@top jimmy Whatever AAV Soto signs for, Paul Skenes will top it in about another five years as long as he keeps doing what he does.
jimmy – I agree, as these mega-contracts continue to accumulate there will be fewer teams able to give out additional ones.
Right now there are 16 contracts between 7-14 years long with AAV of between $20M-$46M that continue through at least 2030. That has to eventually start dragging down teams’ spending power.
For example the Padres have 3 of those mega contracts, all expiring in 2033 or 2034. Can’t see how they could possibly afford to take on a 4th mega contract.
@Cards
Harper and Wheeler contracts have worked out pretty well, but you’re missing the point.
Free agency is not about paying a player what you think he’s worth. I mean it is, but their price is determined by the market. A free agent’s contract is what the market was willing to spend on a player of that caliber that is available to sign without having to give up a package of young talent to acquire.
Harper isn’t even halfway through his contract. He’s missed almost a full year of play so far. It’s a bit early to declare it a success. We can revisit that in seven years.
As far as Wheeler goes. I don’t think a three year contract with a 3 year extension tacked on at the end qualifies as a long term contract.
I’m curious as to how your market value is determined if the teams aren’t determining the value the player represents to them.
Sorry, Wheeler signed a very reasonable 5 year contract originally then a 3 year extension at the end. It’s still a stretch to call it a long term deal.
And dont forget Rendon’s contract!!
Thanks! I almost left the house without it
@Bill M, thanks for the much needed laugh.
YBC – And as long as Skenes stays healthy.
Aaron Judge can hold Juan Soto’s beer. Judge is the single most overrated player in the history of baseball. Sorry not sorry.
An overrated play with 10 WAR 2 of the last 3 years. Both of those years his OPS+ was over 200. Very few players in history have even one.
He’s done nothing when it mattered.
Judges 2 mvp awards say otherwise..yes 2 since hes winning it again this year..they dont come close to the playoffs without him..so those reg season games he crushed matter alot
@ranger, yes he has. He dropped that ball when it mattered.
@Ranger, I think it gonna take more than a bag or two balls to sign him.
The Yankees need to sign Soto, Alonso & Bregman if they want beat the Dodgers in the WS next year!
That’s signing 3 players with QOs. Quite a bet.
It’s the only way they will be able to beat the Dodgers and they would have a legitimate chance of having 4 players that hit 40+ HRs (Judge, Soto, Alonso & Stanton (if he can stay healthy)). That’s never been done before in the history of baseball. That would be insane!
FRICKIN Insane!
The Yankees signing those three players is insane. The Yankees having four 40-HR players is FRICKIN Insane!
Lot of insanity going on here. Sorry, FRICKIN insanity
Lol. I’m FRICKIN OUT because of the FRICKIN INSANITY of this potential lineup! Spend the $$ Yankees and don’t be CHEAP like the Red Sox.
By insane, I meant “no FRICKIN way.”
Even that won’t be enough if NYY doesn’t improve it’s starting pitching and bullpen with 2 pitchers each (total of 4) via trades, free agency or minor leagues
LAD have a lot of work to do also. How many starting pitchers will be healthy on their current roster and how do they replace a key bullpen piece like Treinen?
They have Ohtani, Yamamoto, Glasnow, Dustin May, Gavin Stone and others as starters in 2025
Roki Sasaki & Blake Snell?
Move Clarke Schmidt & Nestor Cortes to the bullpen as long relief pitchers or spot starters?
I still think Cohen and the Mets end up winning the Soto Bowl.
It feels like they have been preparing for a run at him for awhile now and Steve generally gets what Steve wants.
They basically sat out the free agency last season, only signed a few guys to short term deals. After they chased and failed to get Yamamoto, they didn’t pursuit many free agents afterwards.
Except ohtani. Steve didn’t get him
Yeah.
That’s why I said “generally.”
Never gonna happen.
Cohen won’t be outbid. Only way Soto is not a Met is if he intentionally takes less money to play somewhere else.
For Soto money I want Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Ken Griffey Jr., Hank Aaron,, Mickey Mantle (before injury)
Do you think Steve Cohen would listen to Stearns IF David argues Soto as Plan A is a Cautionary Tale/Bad roster construx based mostly on poor defense
(We know Cohen has the money even if in the last 3 years of the contract its Albert Pujols or Miguel Cabrera Part 2) without a World Series Championship.
I’d want a mutual opt out clause after year 5 for team protection.
Soto is gonna ask for like a 15 year contract kind of like a hybrid of Harper and Ohtani.
I’d ask Soto to defer a good portion like 35% of total money.
Soto to Steve Cohen “Hello Partner”
Steve Phillips ARod (24+1) There could be morale, team chemistry, resentment issues.
I say Hard Pass on Soto
How fast can NYM get revenues from proposed Casino/Sports betting nearby CitiField that is replacing car repair shops
Cost of tickets, parking, food, NYM games streamed/cable etc,
NFL like PSL extra cost is coming to MLB you watch.
A Rod’s contract with Texas didn’t work out so great.but their mediocre pitching was most likely derailed them.
Would TOR make a serious effort for Soto?
We could have fun tracking what flight he is on when going to sign in Canada.again.
Forgot to include and total seriousness NOT sarcasm.
Is Sotos age accurate? Is he 2 or 3 years older?
That’s a power move from Middleton. “He’s playing us. That’s cool, we’ll play along and see where it takes us.”
Phillies owner John Middleton’s comment about being a stalking horse is obviously sound. It happened to the Jays last year for Ohtani. The Jays were used to drive up the price. But there is value in this because it does put some pressure on those clubs. Let’s say Toronto knows that Soto wants to play in NY – great offer him 14 years $680 million – that forces New York to get close to that figure, match it, or exceed it. If he’s going there anyway – you may as well try and make them pay through the nose so PERHAPS it means in year three when they have exceeded the luxury tax threshold for 3 years they can’t or won’t do something else. Of course, you have to do this in good faith as the player may surprise you and accept your offer!
The Yankees are not keeping Soto. They don’t spend like they used to. If they did, Freeman and Seager would both be in the Bronx. Unload DJL and Stanton free money to bring back Soto. The Mets only want to drive up the price. The Mets need to sign Burnes, Snell, and Freid for that staff for the price of one Soto. For that matter, the Yankees could do the same get 3 pitchers for one Soto.
Those 3 pitchers will sign for a much higher total AAV than Soto. Total dollars? Soto, but over a much longer period.
Unload them where? They would have to lay down their contracts, so not much money to free up.
Ok, so?
I just don’t see it. I understand Soto may be the second best hitter in the game but he’s a hack on defense AND on the bases. The Dodgers may create the illusion that they’re interested in Soto to drive his price up but there’s no way they’ll invest big dollars in such a one trick pony. Go get him Buster!
You’re not wrong. Value solely on hitting, at which he is exceptional.
Defense worse than bad and he refuses to steal bases or run aggressively (to avoid injury to optimize contract). He stopped stealing bases in like 2020.
In the last two years, Soto has 19 SB to 13 for Judge
He scored 128 runs. Can’t be that bad on the bases.
Once again, a team like the Chicago Cubs who finished only 10 games out of first place has no interest in a 26-year-old superstar. And that’s because the owner who is more interested in buying up real estate in the neighborhood and a stooge president of baseball operations have no clue what they’re doing. And a side note, there’s no waiting list for season tickets anymore so keep doing what you’re doing geniuses
…ONLY 10 games out of first place. Spoken like a true cub fan.
Cohen is reportedly buying the entire country of dominican rep & gifting it to soto.
Good luck topping that yankees
Got a feeling Mets and Yankees will end up swapping Soto and Alonso.
Nobody wants Alonso, especially the Yankees. He will fester until March and then will take a take a 3 year deal with the Mets.
Boras is a tool
Smart move would be to let him walk, take the picks, fire Cashman, find the next voice if the Yankees with a new vision and rebuild this thing from the ground up.
They aren’t going to do that though. So miss out on Soto and panic sign a few others? Anyone’s guess.
You’re crazy. They have Judge in his prime, Cole could fall apart in a couple years, they have holes at 1st and 3rd but are otherwise set, Soto and Judge were breaking Ruth/Gehrig records. They were the best team in the AL. Cashman is not great outside of finding relievers but he signs the big fish when necessary. AND if Hal cries poor he can sell the team to someone else, because the yankees don’t get to cry poor.
AL was trash. They just had Soto and Judge in their prime and they got smoked in the World Series. And Aaron Judge is statistically one of the worst playoff players ever so at this point, and I absolutely hate to even say it admit this, he is a lost cause in the playoffs.
Also Cole could fall apart the first week of spring training it’s interesting he wouldn’t test the market if his elbow is solid.
Soto will only ever play for the Yankees. He holds no regard for any other team. He craves center stage.
He just wants a free dinner.
What day are Soto and Boras meeting with Breslow? [falls down laughing]
Skype, they’ll buy him a virtual coffee
Hal’s message needs to be you are a Yankee, and if we get outbid, you let us know and we will match or surpass it. Do not play the Yankees brand BS. That ship sailed on the big money players long ago.
Maybe true but he did just spend a year bonding with the team on a World Series run. That has to count for something, right?
Yes, and while I’m sure it’ll play into Soto’s decision, he knows his value and he’ll go for the money especially with Boras.
Have the Yankees ever not gotten a player they’ve truly wanted? If so, you count the times that’s happened on one hand. If they truly want him, they’ll get him. Very simple.
Yamamoto? They actually offered a better deal than the Dodgers with nearly identical money and earlier opt-outs, but you are exactly right. If Soto wants to be a Yankee, then money will not be an issue.
If they can finally start to make it to the world series again it’s all worth it. I enjoyed the Tiger season. It’s low cost hunger really made it all enjoyable. The Tigers are nice how they are. The kids will get better so no need to rush it. The Yankees need Soto.
this is truly an agent’s dream: 2 owners with deep pockets and a desire to keep the player from their rival. he might just get 700M
12 years, $565mm
$50m per year for five years, through age 31. Opt outs after year 4 and/or 5.
$45mm per year for 6-12.
Team options for years 13 and 14 at bargain rates.
Well, which is more important
Having a monument in Yankees stadium after you retire
Or having so much money you can never ever spend it
A classy person will choose the monument
A self centered A hole chooses the money
Prediction:
Hal throws stupid money at Soto
The US dollar stabilizes
Yankees become too expensive for Hal and he sells the team to Steve Cohens former assistant, who has been trained like Luke Skywalker to surpass the wildest dreams of wealth Cohen could even have. He demotes Cashman from any baseball responsibility and makes him a CPA. They tear down the new Yankee stadium and rebuild on the old grounds. Derek Jeters illegitimate son leads them to a 5-peat to shove it to his dad.
I’m not sure that the Mets and Yankees are intending to “outbid” the other team to pick up Soto. I think it would be bad business to go into an auction without a realistic idea of the cost/value tradeoff offered by the player. Is paying $40M for a year of Soto a better idea than getting a $30M starter and a $10M reliever? It depends on what the teams’ needs are now and over the next 10 years or so. I would hope Cohen, at least, is not spending money to win an ego battle, but to win games.
I think the Yankees sign him. If not, Dodgers, but forget the Mets
The Mets are probably stalking horses too, he doesn’t leave the Yankees