DALLAS — As the baseball world descends upon the Hilton Anatole on Sunday ahead of the annual Winter Meetings, there’s an industry-wide feeling that Juan Soto’s free agency decision is imminent. And so far, there’s no reason to believe the Red Sox have been eliminated.
*** UPDATE: Soto has reportedly agreed to a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets ***
As of early Sunday afternoon, Boston is believed to remain in the mix for Soto with negotiations between the superstar and all interested teams hurdling toward a conclusion. It’s unclear if final offers have been requested or submitted, though one person with knowledge of the negotiations said Sunday morning that all sides are “at an interesting point in the talks.” At least some top Boras Corporation officials have already arrived at the hotel where the Winter Meetings are being held. So have decision-makers from virtually every team, including at least one senior Red Sox official. By the end of Sunday, the entire baseball world will have arrived in Texas.
- BETTING: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
An industry source described Boston’s efforts on the Soto pursuit, to this point, as “an A+ effort.” But even if the Red Sox have pitched Soto on something the Aaron Judge-led Yankees and Francisco Lindor-led Mets can’t — being the unquestioned face of their team, something the reserved Rafael Devers likely wouldn’t mind at all — there’s still a feeling that Soto will probably sign for the biggest total guarantee. The industry has long believed the Mets would make a Godfather offer to land Soto no matter what it takes. But there’s palpable fear among interested teams Sunday that the Yankees might also be in that same boat. The Yankees, of course, offer Soto something the other interested teams (the Red Sox, Mets, Blue Jays and Dodgers) can’t: familiarity and comfort after a successful first year in the Bronx.
On Saturday night, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that both New York teams had upped their offers into the $710-730 million range, soaring past expectations at the outset of the winter. Heyman noted that Soto was weighing “five enormous bids,” implying that no one — including the Jays or Dodgers — had been ruled out. Details of the Red Sox’ latest offer remain scarce but Heyman dubbed it a “very competitive bid.”
In any case, baseball should have its answer very soon.
