For years, the Boston Red Sox have watched the New York Yankees snag star players in free agency, but now they have an opportunity to turn the tables in dramatic fashion.
On Friday, November 30, Randy Miller of NJ.com appeared on WFAN and named the Red Sox, along with the New York Mets, as leading contenders to sign slugger Juan Soto, potentially stealing him away from the Yankees.
“I’m hearing the Yankees fear the Red Sox more than anyone,” Miller said, according to Danny Abriano of SNYtv. “I think the Mets are definitely in play, the Red Sox are in play, and I don’t think he’s going to the Yankees.”
Yankees Expected to Come Up Short on Money for Juan Soto
Snatching Juan Soto away from the Yankees after his stellar season in the Bronx would be a game-changing move for the Red Sox in the competitive AL East.
The 26-year-old slugger, acquired by New York in a trade with the Padres for the 2024 season, was instrumental in the Yankees’ first trip to the World Series in 15 years.
Ultimately, Randy Miller believes Soto’s decision will hinge on the financials. With just one of his seven MLB seasons spent in New York, Miller doesn’t see the four-time All-Star offering the Yankees a hometown discount.
“I’m hearing the Yankees will max out around $550 million,” Miller said. “But I believe Soto already has at least two, possibly three, offers north of $600 million. While I haven’t confirmed it, that’s what I’m hearing.”
Mets, Dodgers Also in Hunt to Sign Juan Soto
It’s unusual for the Yankees to be outpaced financially in pursuit of a marquee free agent, but that might be the case with Juan Soto this offseason.
While the Red Sox are a significant threat to New York’s chances, the larger challenge comes from the Mets and Dodgers, two organizations with even greater financial flexibility this offseason. Analysts have increasingly speculated that Soto is most likely to land with one of these two teams.
“No need to complicate things,” Andy McCullough of The Athletic wrote on November 29. “[Mets owner Steve] Cohen has the deepest pockets. He will dip into them to sign Soto to the richest (present-day value, for sure) contract in baseball history.”
The Dodgers, who have already met with Soto, are also believed to be in the group of teams ready to offer him over $600 million, aligning with Randy Miller’s speculation.
If the Red Sox can match or surpass these offers, they stand a solid chance of bringing Soto to Boston. That scenario could see the Yankees’ most impactful postseason player from their World Series run donning a Red Sox uniform in 2025.
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