Juan Soto Expected to Decide Next Team Ahead of or During MLB Winter Meetings
NEW YORK — Juan Soto is reportedly on track to decide his next destination before or during the MLB Winter Meetings, which take place in Dallas from December 8-12.
Soto has already met with multiple teams, including the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. Initial offers were requested by his agent, Scott Boras, to be submitted by Thanksgiving.
As one of the top free agents this offseason, Soto has drawn immense attention. The four-time All-Star and third-place AL MVP finisher in 2024 showcased his elite skills by batting .288 with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, and 129 walks. Over his seven-year MLB career, he holds a .285 batting average, 201 home runs, and 769 walks.
Soto turned down a 15-year, $440 million offer from the Washington Nationals in 2022, leading to his trade to the San Diego Padres and later to the Yankees. Pairing with Aaron Judge in New York, Soto helped guide the Yankees to the World Series, where they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Boras has highlighted Soto’s historical postseason performances, which include his role in the Nationals’ 2019 World Series victory and impressive OPS comparisons to legends like Mickey Mantle and Derek Jeter.
Soto’s Potential Record-Setting Contract
Soto is expected to seek a record deal, potentially surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million agreement with the Dodgers. Unlike Ohtani’s deferred-payment-heavy contract, Soto could demand a higher overall value in immediate terms, making his deal among the most lucrative in MLB history.
Luxury Tax and Market Competition
High payroll teams like the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, and Phillies face steep luxury tax penalties but remain in contention. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays may benefit from lower tax rates, depending on their final 2024 figures.
A Historic Setting for a Historic Deal?
If Soto’s decision comes during the Winter Meetings at Dallas’ Hilton Anatole, it would echo another Boras-led milestone—the announcement of Alex Rodriguez’s groundbreaking $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers at the same venue in 2000.
Regardless of where Soto lands, his decision will undoubtedly shape the offseason market and impact the league’s landscape heading into 2025.