Boston Red Sox fans have been surprisingly optimistic about their favorite team's chances of signing this winter's top free agent, Juan Soto.
The slugger's personal history may have something to do with Red Sox Nation's confidence. Soto grew up a Red Sox fan and idolized David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez and Manny Ramirez — all three are Dominican natives, as is Soto.
Ortiz is a personal friend of Soto and his family, and he's participated in Boston's recruitment of the outfielder. He's used the Red Sox's history of Dominican stars as a selling point. Soto could be the star of the next Dominican trio in Boston, alongside Rafael Devers and Brayan Bello.
Another star player from the DR may hope to turn the Dominican trio into a quartet. Division rival slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is set to reach free agency next season, and his Instagram activity suggests he may want to play in Boston.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. dropped mixed signals with his social media activity pertaining to the Red Sox and Juan Soto. https://t.co/KelRGy7B93
— NESN (@NESN) December 5, 2024
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. likes Instagram post that suggests he'd like to play for Red Sox alongside Juan Soto and Rafael Devers
The Spanish-language Red Sox podcast "La Nación Red Sox" posted an edit on their Instagram (@lanacionboston) of Devers, Soto and Guerrero in Sox uniforms as the team's next "Big 3" Dominican sluggers. Guerrero liked the post.
Guerrero has been one of the Blue Jays' biggest stars since he debuted in 2019. He's earned an All-Star nomination in each of the last four seasons. But it seems like he wants out of Toronto.
Soto, Devers and Guerrero would be the heart of a dream lineup for Red Sox fans. Soto and Guerrero would benefit massively from 81 games inside Fenway Park, and so would the Red Sox's record. It's also always great to steal a star player from a division rival, or two, in this case.
The Sox are still in on the Soto sweepstakes, and signing him would be the first step toward executing the perfect Red Sox lineup pictured in the edit. The 26-year-old is expected to sign around the start of MLB's Winter Meetings, which begin on Dec. 9. Red Sox Nation may know if the next Dominican "Big 3" could be a reality within the next few days.