Both the rumor mill and the Major League Baseball offseason are well underway. Five days after the Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2024 World Series, teams were allowed to sign free agents. However, this year’s most sought-after free agent is taking his time meeting with potential teams.
The next contract that superstar outfielder Juan Soto signs is expected to be well over $500 million over a period of ten years or more. The two teams most closely associated with the 26-year-old, the New York Mets and his most recent squad, the New York Yankees, have already visited with Soto and his well-known agent, Scott Boras. The Dodgers are the next team to meet with Soto, who has already visited with the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Phillies have some significant advantages over the competition and are at last participating in the Juan Soto sweepstakes.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ potential interest in Soto has been a topic of conjecture for weeks. Although managing partner and principle owner John Middleton toyed with the idea of exceeding the top tax threshold for the right player, baseball operations president Dave Dombrowski stated that the team isn’t necessarily looking to add great players this offseason.
Few other teams are more eager to win than the Phillies, who are in a position to win right now. Over the past few years, Middleton has repeatedly stated in public his desire to win and return to the City of Brotherly Love with a World Series trophy.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the Phillies are finally entering the race, indicating that they believe Soto is the ideal player to surpass the top tax level. According to reports, a mystery club—likely the Phillies—that spoke with Soto was in the race.
The timing of a potential meeting with Juan Soto remains unclear. Reports suggest a decision could come in December, either by the end of the MLB Winter Meetings or shortly before. The Winter Meetings, scheduled for December 9–12, mark one of the most active periods for free agent signings and trades during the offseason.
If Phillies owner John Middleton and president Dave Dombrowski believe Soto could be the final piece to secure a championship, they are prepared to pursue him aggressively. The Phillies have strong connections to Soto, including former teammates Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber, as well as his former hitting coach Kevin Long.
Soto’s resume includes five Silver Slugger awards, four All-Star selections, a 2019 World Series championship, the 2020 batting title, and the 2022 Home Run Derby crown. Over his seven-year career, he has tallied 201 home runs, 592 RBIs, and an impressive number of walks. In postseason play, Soto boasts a .281 batting average across 43 games.
The Phillies intend to speak with the superstar free agent before he decides on his future team, suggesting that they are still interested in Juan Soto.
According to a Tuesday morning report, Philadelphia anticipates being among the next teams to meet with superstar free agent Juan Soto.
Jon Heyman of The New York Post claims that although the big-spending Phillies have not yet met with Soto this offseason, they “plan to.” Philadelphia has been among the more active organizations in recent years when it comes to big-ticket free agents, even though they may not be the favorites to sign the four-time All-Star.
Juan Soto, a left-handed hitter who played this past season with the New York Yankees, is now a free agent. At just 26 years old, he’s poised for a lucrative contract following an impressive career that began with his MLB debut at 19, a World Series title with the Nationals shortly after his 21st birthday, and a career .953 OPS over seven standout seasons.
Soto has already met with the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Mets, and is expected to meet with the Dodgers as well, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Jon Heyman added that these discussions have primarily been introductory rather than serious negotiations.
If all goes as planned, the Phillies may soon have the opportunity to meet with Soto.
