Boston Red Sox fans haven't been thrilled with the organization's spending decisions in the past few offseasons.
This year, the front office may have the chance to redeem itself for its underwhelming free-agent signings. MLB teams across the league — or just the ones with a spare $600 million or more — will each have a long shot at signing Juan Soto, one of the best players in baseball.
Soto is spending his 2024 season with the Yankees, and collecting more MVP votes by the day. He's posted a stellar .304/.428/.568 slash line with a .996 OPS. He and fellow MVP candidate Aaron Judge are a deadly combination batting back-to-back in New York's order.
In a recent report by New York Post's Jon Heyman, the insider shared that the Yankees' likely competitors for Soto's services don't like their chances at signing the star when his contract expires. Heyman listed the Red Sox, Mets, Phillies and Dodgers as the "obvious" other suitors.
Front offices around the league don't like their chances to steal Juan Soto from the Yankees
Juan Soto: simply electric ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/TYnHqRN6fO
— MLB (@MLB) June 2, 2024
A rival general manager told Heyman he expects Soto to stick with the Yankees, and after the season he's put together so far, that expectation seems unfortunately realistic. New York believes it has a "decent chance" to sign Soto if the bidding stays close. If it remains the best team in baseball and makes a deep playoff run, the chances will likely improve.
Soto won't come cheap for anyone, though. Predictions for his contract rest in the $500-600 million range. The Yankees spent an exorbitant amount of money to sign Judge long-term last year and the Dodgers spent on, well, everyone during the 2023-24 offseason. The two most valuable teams in MLB may have tight budgets this winter, but Soto's numbers have proved his worthiness for a massive deal.
The Red Sox's ownership group has the money to spend on Soto, but based on its spending plans in recent years, it's highly unlikely he will sign with Boston. He would rake at Fenway Park and his bat would suit the Sox's current lineup, but he's well outside John Henry's preferred price range.
No matter where Soto signs, he'll be a nightmare for his squad's rivals. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, Soto's likeliest suitor is in the AL East, and they may be forced to face his bat 13 times per season.