Updated Post: Nov. 15 at 12:26 p.m.
Details have begun to emerge from Juan Soto’s three-hour meeting with the Boston Red Sox, which took place in Southern California on Thursday night.
According to MassLive’s Sean McAdam, the two sides enjoyed a “productive” meeting, which included a presentation that Soto was fond of.
“Soto was said to be impressed by the Red Sox’ presentation, which included a video taking note of the franchise’s history of star players from the Dominican Republic, Soto’s native country,” McAdam wrote. “The Red Sox laid out their plans for the future and highlighted the crop of soon-to-be-arriving top prospects while giving a detailed outline of ownership and Fenway Sports Group.”
The Red Sox’ contingent included team president Sam Kennedy, chairman Tom Werner, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora. McAdam reported that Soto inquired about the organization’s commitment to winning, player evaluation methods and the facilities at Fenway Park.
The mega star is slated to remain in California through the beginning of next week for additional gatherings, which will include the New York Mets and Yankees.
Original Post: Nov. 12 at 10:51 a.m.
Juan Soto will meet with the Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays and Red Sox this week in California, according to a report by Jeff Passan of ESPN. Francisco Lindor is helping recruit the 26-year-old, four-time All-Star who is expected to strike a deal worth more than $600 million and perhaps the longest contract in MLB history.
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Passan, who reported that the Mets and Yankees are the favorites to land the star, said the Soto Sweepstakes could be over before the winter meetings start on Dec. 9. He does not expect this to stretch into the new year and predicted the final salary number will be the largest in MLB history when Shohei Ohtani‘s deferrals are considered.
Toronto, which missed out on Ohtani (10 years, $700 million, with $680 million deferred) last year, will be the first team to meet with Soto, sources told Passan. The Blue Jays and Red Sox are also expected to vie for starting pitchers.
Passan said the Dodgers would be interested in the unlikely event that Soto’s price comes down because they are worried about him playing DH in years to come and they are already committed to Ohtani in that role. He also reported that Tampa Bay could have interest, citing their involvement in Freddie Freeman‘s free agency, but that the price will likely be too high.
The Mets, unsurprisingly, are interested in bringing back Pete Alonso, Passan reported. The Yankees are after him, too, but Alonso will likely have to wait to be signed until Soto has made a decision.
Willy Adames, who is willing to move to third base, could be another Mets target, Passan reported. He said the Giants, Yankees and Dodgers are lurking too.
Passan listed the Mets among eight teams that will make a pitch to 23-year-old pitcher Roki Sasaki when he is posted by the Chiba Lotte Mariners. Sasaki, who scouts say has the stuff to become the game’s best pitcher, and will sign an under-market minor league deal as an international amateur free agent.
Passan had New York among team interested in trading for Garrett Crochet of the White Sox along with the Phillies, Dodgers, Red Sox, Orioles and others. He did not list the Mets among teams in the hunt for top free agent pitchers Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Blake Snell or Jack Flaherty.
