Surprise new suitor emerges in Juan Soto sweepstakes

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 appears to be drawing interest from an unlikely team elsewhere in the division.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Wednesday that the Tampa Bay Rays have joined the list of suitors for the star free agent outfielder Soto. While Heyman notes that the Rays are seen as a distant longshot in the race, they have reportedly made calls on the four-time Silver Slugger winner.

At 26 years old and fresh off an immaculate season in which he hit 41 home runs and helped lead the New York Yankees to the AL pennant, Soto is poised to command a staggering amount of money as a free agent this winter. By some estimates, that number may very well be in the Shohei Ohtani range.

For the small-market Rays, who had a total payroll of just $89 million in 2024 (28th in MLB) and do not even have a stadium to play in right now, landing Soto might be a very tall task. But the Rays will shoot their shot regardless (even if there are other outside suitors for Soto that seem far more likely).