Interesting new report links Juan Soto to Red Sox

Oct 24, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) on the field during workout day at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The New York Yankees are expected to have plenty of competition in their attempt to re-sign Juan Soto this winter, and some of the steepest could come from their most hated rival.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote in a column on Tuesday that the Boston Red Sox are set to meet with Soto this week. While it is fair to wonder if Boston just wants to drive up the price on the Yankees or another team, Passan claims the Red Sox have Soto at the top of the team’s “want list.”

In other words, the interest is real — allegedly. The Red Sox have not shown a willingness to spend big in free agency over the past several years, so there are serious doubts about whether they would shell out $600 million or more for the 26-year-old Soto. However, Passan’s report meshes with what Jon Heyman of the New York Post wrote on Sunday, which is that the Red Sox are “seen as legit Soto players.”

There have been plenty of rumblings that Boston finally wants to start throwing money around again after an 81-81 season and third straight year without a playoff appearance. The most glaring need for the Red Sox is starting pitching, and a recent report claimed they could pursue a young All-Star on the trade market.

Soto hit .288 with 41 home runs, 109 RBI and a .989 OPS this season. He was even better in the playoffs, when he batted .327 with 4 homers, 9 RBI and a 1.101 OPS in 14 games. That performance has given him even more leverage heading into free agency.

The Red Sox are not the only Yankees rival that is planning to make a run at Soto.