The Boston Red Sox have been one of the most surprising players in the Juan Soto market. The outfielder is expected to sign around the time of MLB's Winter Meetings, which take place from Dec. 9-12 this year, and Boston is running out of time to make an impact.
Soto grew up a Red Sox fan. He admired the team's three biggest Dominican stars of the 2000s, Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz. If he watched them, he also watched a popular second baseman who's on the 2025 Hall of Fame ballot — Dustin Pedroia.
Ortiz has reportedly been very involved in Boston's recruitment of Soto, and Ian Browne of MLB.com recently shared that Pedroia may have joined the efforts. Boston's most recent everyday second baseman played his entire career with the Sox alongside plenty of Soto's baseball idols. He was also represented by Soto's agent, Scott Boras.
The Red Sox's history may be their best pull factor to entice Soto into a deal. The Boston teams of the 2000s and early 2010s boasted plenty of Dominican stars, to which his personal friend Ortiz can attest. He and Pedroia could hype up the team and the city of Boston, in general, to the young outfielder.
Dustin Pedroia may have joined David Ortiz in the Red Sox's recruitment of star free agent outfielder Juan Soto
If the report that Pedroia joined the Sox's Soto recruitment is true, it comes at an interesting time. It was reported last season that Pedroia spoke with members of the Red Sox front office during a meeting and suggested they spend some money to bring in some available free agent pitchers. Boston never went for his advice last winter, which could be his motivation for joining the team's free agent signing efforts.
The more former or current Red Sox the team can get to speak with Soto, the better. Boston has been the winningest team of the 21st century in terms of championships. Pedroia and Ortiz were part of Red Sox teams that would've gone to any length to win. They could be the perfect tandem to convince Soto to sign with the Sox and to persuade the front office to return to its old, more dedicated ways.