Report: NL contender likely to pursue Juan Soto

Feb 25, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Juan Soto (22) smiles in the dugout against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Juan Soto is the biggest prize of the upcoming MLB offseason, with the Yankees and Mets likely to duke it out over the star outfielder. However, there is another team reportedly likely to pursue Soto that could catch his eye.

The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be involved in the Soto market, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. As a big-market team willing to spend, the Phillies are expected to at least inquire about signing Soto. In addition, Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long is close with Soto, as Long was the Washington Nationals’ hitting coach for the first four years of Soto’s career.

The Phillies figure to have a sense of urgency this offseason, as they have an older core that has yet to deliver a World Series title. Soto turns 26 later this month and certainly would fit in while making the team even younger. The Phillies also have not been shy about spending money, though a lot of it has gone toward keeping their current roster intact.

Soto’s immense talent and relative youth make him the prize of the offseason. He hit .288 with 41 home runs for the Yankees this season, and they will want to keep him. The rival Mets are expected to be their biggest competition, so the Phillies might have a hard time getting their foot in the door.