The New York Yankees are scheduled to meet with Juan Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, on Monday, November 18. This meeting comes after Soto has already engaged with other teams, providing the Yankees with a clearer view of his market value.
While it remains uncertain when Soto will make his final decision, the Yankees are expected to make an aggressive push. If Soto reports receiving a $650 million offer, New York must be prepared to exceed that figure, as he is their top priority this offseason.
Chris Kirschner of *The Athletic* laid out an ideal Yankees offseason plan, aimed at building a World Series-contending roster for 2025. At the heart of Kirschner’s proposal is re-signing Soto. In his contract prediction, the left-handed slugger would land a record-breaking 14-year, $658 million deal, surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s average annual value (AAV) of $46.08 million.
“This is a no-brainer. No offseason plan for the Yankees is truly complete without landing the best free agent on the market,” Kirschner wrote on November 18. He highlighted Soto and Boras’s upcoming meeting with the Yankees in Newport Beach, California, while noting it remains unclear if other teams will meet with them afterward. Boras is reportedly aiming to break records with Soto’s deal, seeking an AAV of $47 million, narrowly edging out Ohtani’s. Unlike Ohtani’s heavily deferred contract, Soto’s deal is unlikely to follow the same structure, as Boras has expressed disinterest in deferrals.
Soto’s Meeting With New York Mets ‘Went Extremely Well’
While the New York Yankees are the primary contenders for Juan Soto, they aren’t the only team vying for his services. The New York Mets, led by owner Steve Cohen, pose a significant threat, as Cohen is expected to go all out to acquire Soto this winter. While it’s possible the Mets could make the highest offer, the Yankees are in a position to offer a similar financial package in most scenarios.
Though an outlandish scenario with the Mets offering a $750 million-plus deal is unlikely, there’s no telling how far Cohen is willing to go to secure Soto.
Soto and the Mets met on November 16, and according to *The New York Post*’s Jon Heyman, the meeting went “extremely well.” Heyman noted that the Mets are considered one of the favorites to land the 26-year-old superstar, who played a key role in helping the Yankees reach the World Series in his first season in The Bronx in 2024. Word is that the Mets’ presentation to Soto was a “big production” and “very detailed,” signaling their strong push to make him their centerpiece this offseason.
Soto’s Free Agency Could Slow Down Other Moves
As Chris Kirschner pointed out, the New York Yankees might not have to wait too long for Juan Soto to make his decision. A quick resolution would benefit both the Yankees, whether they land Soto or not, and other teams in need of improving their rosters.
For teams like the Yankees and New York Mets, the wait for Soto’s decision could have a significant impact on their ability to make other moves. With both teams needing to address various areas of their rosters, waiting for Soto to finalize his choice might delay their pursuit of other free agents or trades, putting pressure on their offseason plans.
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