The Royals have reached out to Juan Soto this offseason, writes Jon Heyman of the New York Post. It doesn’t appear talks got far, as Heyman unsurprisingly adds that Soto’s asking price is out of Kansas City’s comfort zone.
At the start of the offseason, Heyman reported that a pair of small-market teams were among 11 clubs to reach out to Soto. The Rays were quickly reported as one of those suitors, and it seems the Royals were the other. In any case, there’s nothing to suggest either Tampa Bay or Kansas City has shown more than cursory interest. The teams known to have met with Soto — the Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox and Dodgers — are all big-market franchises. The Phillies hadn’t scheduled a meeting with Soto as of Tuesday, though they’re also expected to sit down with the star outfielder and agent Scott Boras at some point.
The Royals were surprisingly active spenders last winter. Kansas City committed upwards of $110MM in free agency, headlined by deals for Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. Those contracts worked out incredibly well. Lugo finished second in AL Cy Young balloting. Wacha continued to post quality mid-rotation numbers. He opted out of the second season of his first K.C. contract before returning to the organization on a three-year, $51MM deal.
Kansas City’s biggest investment came on the eve of Spring Training, as they extended franchise shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. on an 11-year deal that guaranteed him nearly $289MM. Witt turned in an MVP runner-up showing as Kansas City surprisingly snapped a nine-year playoff drought.
Witt’s contract is easily the biggest deal in franchise history. Soto’s asking price is surely more than double that. While they’re not going to get the market’s top free agent, the Royals could be involved on anyone else in the outfield class. Anthony Santander, Teoscar Hernández, Tyler O’Neill and Jurickson Profar are candidates for three- or four-year contracts. It’d be a surprise if anyone from that group reached nine figures, though Santander has an outside chance. K.C.’s corner outfield tandem of MJ Melendez and Hunter Renfroe is very weak for a contender, making that an obvious area for the front office to upgrade.
Truly is silly season
I just placed a $1 bet on PolyMarket that the Royals will sign Soto. It will pay over one million.
Probably not.. It’s a crypto only betting market and US citizens can’t bet.
Heyman’s oath to Boras seems stronger than many marriages.
RobM: Soon to be millionaire, if Soto lands in KC, could we discuss a low interest rate loan with flexible options ???
Samuel, I would rather play Rotisserie Baseball thanks though.
I would buy you a Royals Juan Soto jersey if he signs with KC.
Every offseason.
The way I got this figured, writing for baseball is a seasonal business. Most writers working for publications are paid by clicks. Spring Training lasts almost 2 months, the regular season 6 months, and the playoffs a month. During that time fans can read about what’s going on in ST and then watch the games. So that leaves 3 months for the Heyman’s, Sherman’s and the like to (as MLBTR writers like to say): “Get Paid”.
The best part I like is after the major signings we find out that most of the blow-by-blow scenarios we were reading about during player negotiations weren’t remotely true.
Say what we will, it is entertaining in a National Enquirer / Entertainment Tonight-type way.
There is a better chance that the Saudis are starting a new eight team baseball league and Jared Kushner will be the Commissioner. Soto is offered one billion to sign a 20 year deal of 15 years playing and a 5 year personal services contract.
Nah, these writers are just silly. They’ll say anything for news
Who wouldn’t want to join a winner
lol
Did I wander onto the Babylon Bee?
Athletics have shown interest in Juan Soto.
Lol the rockies have entered the chat.
The As have the same chance as the Royals.
Pirates also.
Cherington and Shelton just wanted to get his autograph.
I seriously wonder what possible benefit is derived from Heyman publishing absurd pieces noting that a team which will clearly never sign Soto allegedly checking in on him?
why not, it’s news and entertaining
You are commenting on it. He won..
Scott Boras asked him to write the story.
My dog also has shown interest in Juan Soto!
Your dog has fleas. Come to think of it so does mine, Gotta call the vet. I’m sure Soto is gonna love the promotional revenue. Just think of it. Billy Bobs Used Cars, George Brett’s Pine Tar, KC Barbecue Sauce, The GOP Strip Club, Billy Rays Used Cars, It could mean hundreds in extra revenue. Maybe, Just think Maybe a Thousand Bucks total! Who needs NY or LA. KC is where the first thing people think of is Big Money. Come on Down Bubba!
Uncle Mike did you just insinuate that George Brett is a cheater? Also known to frequent strip clubs (but that was considered bonding time with your mates back then.)
I didn’t say it. The tape measure did. LOL
My dog heard soto has her favorite cheesy treats and now she’s obsessed.
KC should be spending big right now, with Witt playing amazing ball. When you have a player like that, you’ve got to go all-in during these next 5 years of team control.
I don’t think any team will go wrong financially with Soto, even on a $700m deal. I think he’s one of the best FA bets in the history of the game on a mega deal.
Thanks for the laugh.
5 years? Have you been incarcerated?
Soon all 30 teams will reach out
There’s less than 5 teams seriously considering Juan Soto.
I know one team who won’t. The Cubs. They’re trying to unload Bellinger right now if you believe the stupid rumors. Wouldn’t make sense to trade him and sign Soto.
UncleMike, I saw a trade posited by one of the YouTube guys that got me thinking…. What would you say to a Stroman-for-Bellinger trade?
I mean, it can suit both team’s needs and Yankees can (although they probably wouldn’t) take Cody’s salary.
I’d say we got rid of Stroman for a reason. We don’t want him back. Especially if the Cubs have to eat salary. I don’t think they’ll deal him if they have to do that. They might as well keep him at that point. Why bother? Surely not for a weak return like Stroman.
i was surprised Yankees even signed him in 1st place he’s not even considered good enough to make a post season roster.
@unclemike. Was seeing the angels might be interested. They could do a three team trade involving ward, and give the prospects coming back to the cubs.
Who among the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays & Red Sox aren’t seriously considering it?
It’s between the Mets and Yankees. There are no other suitors serious enough to embark on the Soto journey.
If the Cubs eat any salary it won’t be much. They would trade him for weak prospect return if they unload the whole salary. Depending on how much they were willing to eat they would want better prospects back. Why would they want Stroman? I don’t think anybody wants Stroman. Cubs have a bunch of good young pitching. They don’t need to shop at the top of the FA Pitching pool. A guy like Buehler, Fedde, or somebody like that would do just fine.If they go all in it might be a prospect haul for Crochet. I’d actually like to see that. Crochet could always slot back to relieving if an injury pops up. Buehler too. More useful P’s. Cubs have the prospects to get Crochet.
Nah the Mariners would not even answer the phone if Soto called them and said he wanted to come.
You’re probably right but you never know. They might be cheap but stranger things have happened
The Royals are destroying baseball.
Right? This has gone too far; they need to be capped!
They need to be stuffed in a burlap sack and thrown into the river.
Wouldn’t that just be the ultimate?
Royals have a pretty good chance of landing Livan Soto. Maybe even Gregory Soto. Juan Soto? No chance whatsoever…
Pirates need to call and tell a reporter they did. No sense of humor from those losers.
Heyman could report the call didn’t get very far as Boras has their number blocked.
Lincoln Saltdogs have shown interest in Juan Soto.
FM Redhawks too!
Witt, Jr., Soto, and Bregman as top 3 would be pretty dynamic.
Fantasy pipe dream. Maybe if Witt gets traded to NY and The Yankees pick up Soto and Bregman.
They could be offering to give him half the franchise if he plays there for minimum salary…
Not sure why this was even worth reporting. Even if KC could match his asking price… why would Soto want to go to KC? They don’t have enough money for him to make that choice.
I’m sure the $700mm the Royals would almost certainly offer is enticing, but all of the extra chores they would ask of him (throw at least 60 innings, play two outfield positions to help support understaffed team, working concessions between innings, staying after games to help clean up) to recoup the additional costs would not be.
Signing Soto would be the mistake of their entire history
They wouldn’t have any money left to sign anyone else
And he is not the leader that a team needs
Does this really need an article? Everyone knows the Royals would never spend the amount of money that it would take to get Soto. Essensially the same thing as me saying that I have interest in Cameron Diaz and Sydney Sweeney….
I didn’t even know who Sydney Sweeney was till you wrote her name even though after googling her i actually watched stuff she was in,
I knew who she was before this comment but I know someone she went to school with
I really think the Red Sox have a very good chance of signing Soto. I think they go all in for him or they sign two free agent hitters. They are best suited to trade for Crochet.
Could you imagine Witt-Soto in the same lineup? The Royals get profs for signing Witt long term. That was a great investment.
This article says Jays are a big market team,Since when.If they are they’ve acted like a poverty team forever.
$20 million per year and all the free B.B.Q. he can eat wasn’t enough to get it done?
These articles about where Soto will sign are a total waste of time and useless.i just let all the offseason play out.i know why they post them since there’s enough people who find stupid rumours entertaining but there still as exiting to read as watching paint dry.
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Heyman earning that Boras bonus money
How Heyman actually still has a job for so many years is beyond belief,Tells me lot of people are interested in reading garbage.
I can oddly see this happening
Next up: Orioles have shown interest in Juan Soto.