Juan Soto is the top free agent this offseason, with a contract expected to be worth around $700 million. While the New York Mets remain the favorites to sign him, the Toronto Blue Jays are still considered contenders. MLB insider Bob Nightengale shared an update on the situation, noting that the Mets’ strong position is largely due to owner Steve Cohen’s unwavering commitment to not being outbid, a stance Cohen has made clear multiple times.

The Mets are considered the clear frontrunners in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, with executives believing no one will outbid owner Steve Cohen, while the Yankees have set a price limit they’re unwilling to exceed, according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale.

While the Blue Jays may not be the top contender, Nightengale did include them among the four teams still in the running for Soto, alongside the Mets, Yankees, and Boston Red Sox.

Nightengale also reported that Soto is expected to make his decision by the end of the winter meetings, set to take place in Dallas from December 9th-12th. Industry insiders believe Soto will sign his massive contract by then, avoiding the prolonged negotiations seen with Bryce Harper and Manny Machado in 2019, or last year when potential deals dwindled by February.

The Blue Jays may need to make a bold move to surpass the Mets’ offer if they hope to seriously contend for Juan Soto, but doing so won’t be an easy task. According to MLB sources, general managers are closely watching the situation, with Soto’s looming mega-contract taking center stage in the rumor mill.