Here is the latest news and buzz surrounding Juan Soto’s free agency…
Nov. 18, 9:02 a.m.
The Yankees will make their pitch to Soto and his camp on Monday in California, per multiple reports.
Their meeting with Soto comes two days after he met with a Mets contingent that included owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns.
Soto also met with the Red Sox and Blue Jays last week.
It is unclear if the Yankees’ meeting with Soto is the last in-person powwow he’ll have before negotiations for his services heat up.
SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino recently reported that there could be a resolution with Soto before or around the MLB Winter Meetings, which start on Dec. 9.
The expectation is that Soto, who recently turned 26 years old, will sign a deal that’s potentially as long as 14 years and worth upwards of $600 million.
Nov. 16, 11:06 a.m.
A day after reports indicated representatives from the Boston Red Sox held a “productive” meeting with the free agent, some new details emerged about the three-hour encounter.
Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported that he is hearing that ownership from the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays made “impressive in-person presentations” to Soto.
Heyman noted that there are still “multiple team owners” who have yet to make their pitch to the highly-coveted 26-year-old outfielder and will have their opportunity to do so in the coming days.
Toronto’s meeting with Soto as first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan took place in California this week. The Mets and Yankees have yet to meet with Soto.
Nov. 15, 8:46 a.m.
The Red Sox had a “productive,” three-hour meeting with Soto and his representatives on Thursday in California, reports Sean McAdam of MassLive.
Per MassLive, the Boston contingent at the meeting consisted of president Sam Kennedy, chairman Tom Werner, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, and manager Alex Cora.
During the meeting, the Red Sox screened a video that showcased their “history of star players from the Dominican Republic” and went over their plans for the future — including their highly-rated farm system.
According to MassLive, Soto inquired about “the team’s commitment to winning, player evaluation methods, and Fenway Park and its facilities.”
Because the meeting was a get-to-know-you session, there was no formal offer made, per MassLive.
The Red Sox are in the midst of a downturn, with their last winning season coming in 2021. They finished in last place in the AL East in 2022 and 2023, and went 81-81 in 2024, finishing in third place — behind the Yankees and Orioles.
Boston’s future payroll situation is strong, with the team having just a shade over $90 million on the books for 2026 — theoretically giving them the flexibility to extend a massive offer to Soto.
Nov. 14, 12:07 p.m.
Former Met Carlos Beltran, who is now a special assistant to president of baseball operations David Stearns, recently discussed New York’s pursuit of Soto.
“The Mets want to improve the team and there is no doubt that they will go after all the players that are on the open market knowing that the piece that everyone wants is Juan Soto, and the Mets do not rule out going full blast after him,” Beltran told Joseph Reboyras of Primera Hora in Spanish.
Beltran also talked about the dedication and seriousness of owner Steve Cohen, and how that could impact the Soto sweepstakes.
“The owner of the Mets is one of the wealthiest in the game and he wants to win,” Beltran said. “When he tells the press that he wants to win, he doesnt say it to get the fan excited and go to the ballpark. Really, its something personal for him and I was able to experience it this year being around the team.”
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor traveled to Los Angeles earlier this week. When approached, he would not confirm or deny whether he was there to attend the Mets’ scheduled sit-down with Soto, who is meeting in California with interested clubs.
Beltran discussed the importance of a player like Lindor possibly helping to recruit Soto.
“That is always important. I think that you as a free agent player, knowing what Lindor did last year, and what you know he can do, there is no doubt that you want to associate or share your career with players like Lindor,” Beltran said. “I know that is an influence and I know that Soto will probably consider that. He already experienced Judge. Now he has the opportunity to listen to, at least, Lindor.”
Nov. 13, 9:12 a.m.
The Giants have been expected to be among the top suitors for Soto, but they don’t have a meeting set with him yet, according to Jayson Stark of The Athletic.
Soto is starting to take meetings this week in California, according to multiple reports.
The Blue Jays, Red Sox, Mets, and Yankees have meetings on the books for this week, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
As far as the Giants, they have been trying (and failing) to lure big free agents to San Francisco in recent years.
They were in on Shohei Ohtani last offseason before he signed with the Dodgers, and were deep in discussions with Aaron Judge a few offseasons ago before he re-signed with the Yankees.
While the Giants have been linked to Soto, it was reported last week by Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic that their offseason is “expected to be marked by austerity measures.” That wouldn’t seem to mesh with an all-out pursuit of Soto, who could get a contract worth $600 million or more.
Nov. 12, 9:40 a.m.
While the Dodgers are interested in Soto, it seems unlikely they’ll be serious players for his services.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the Dodgers “won’t chase after Soto,” adding that they would “gladly consider him” if his market softens.
Soto’s market softening is highly unlikely, with the 26-year-old being heavily pursued by most of the biggest-spending clubs in the sport.
The Dodgers have the wherewithal to sign any player, but their long-term salary obligations (to Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and others) and current needs (starting pitching) make them a dubious fit for Soto.
It has also been reported that Soto has a strong preference for the East Coast, which could bode well for the Mets, Yankees, and Red Sox.
Per Passan, the above three teams and the Blue Jays have meetings set up with Soto this week.
Passan notes that Soto could sign before the Winter Meetings begin on Dec. 9.
Nov. 6, 10:40 p.m.
The Juan Soto sweepstakes continues and the teams vying for his services are reportedly becoming more clear.
According to Jon Heyman of The Post, the Tampa Bay Rays are among seven known teams that have checked on Soto. The 80-82 club joins the Yankees, Mets, Giants, Blue Jays, Dodgers and Red Sox looking to bring the outfielder in.
There are at least four other mystery teams that reached out to Soto’s camp, bringing the total number to 11.
SNY’s Andy Martino reported Wednesday that there’s a sense Soto “enjoyed the Yankee experience and will return if the team presents what he considers a fair offer.” What that number is, is still unknown.
As for the Mets, Martino says he has the “impression that the Mets are willing to be very aggressive financially” in their attempts to acquire Soto.
Oct. 31, 9:23 p.m.
Although MLB free agency is still days away, teams have already begun courting Soto just hours after the Yankees’ season ended in Game 5 of the World Series.
Up to 11 teams have checked in on the star outfielder, and the number that may get a contract done with him is $700 million, Jon Heyman of the NY Post reports. Teams cannot discuss money until five days after the end of the World Series.
One of those reported 11 teams is seemingly the Mets.
The Mets are interested in acquiring Soto in free agency, according to The Post’s Mike Puma. It doesn’t come as any surprise, as a lot of money from contracts to Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander comes off the books this offseason.
“We’ve got financial flexibility,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said at Citi Field on Wednesday during his end-of-season news conference. “It means that pretty much the entirety of the player universe is potentially accessible to us. That’s an enormous opportunity. I envision us taking advantage of that opportunity, and being aggressive in certain spaces.”
Soto said after Game 5 that he desires to go to a winning team, but won’t close the door on any organization and that “every team has the same opportunity.”