Juan Soto will substantially change an MLB franchise’s future this winter with his free-agent decision and expected gargantuan contract. Why shouldn’t that team be the Boston Red Sox?
Boston emerged as one of four teams that met with Soto over the last week with reports pointing to a solid start to the Red Sox’s pursuit of the superstar. Boston does have real competition with the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Yankees and the New York Mets. Their pitch and potential offer have to really get through to Soto.
The Red Sox should be doing everything in their power to make that happen and bring Soto to Boston.
Are there bigger positional needs this winter for the Red Sox? Absolutely. Boston needs more arms to return to the postseason. With that said, adding a top-five player in the sport to rise as the face of the franchise is an opportunity that cannot be wasted.
Here’s some more reasoning as to why the Red Sox should dish out a historic deal to Soto.
PRODUCTION
Soto is the best all-around hitter in baseball. Aaron Judge may hit more home runs, but Soto is a well-rounded threat unlike any other in baseball. He just hit a career-high 41 home runs in his potential lone season with the Yankees, just in case you needed a reminder that he’s probably yet to hit his peak.
That’s a terrifying thought for pitchers around the game.
He has every accolade you can think of. All-Star. World Series champion. Silver Slugger. Home Run Derby champion. Batting title. The list goes on and he elevates every lineup he’s in.
The Washington Nationals, the San Diego Padres and the Yankees all reached the postseason with Soto on the roster after monster seasons. He’s no stranger to meeting the moment in October either as a .281 lifetime hitter in the postseason with 11 home runs and a .927 OPS in 43 games.
Placing Soto in the Red Sox lineup, albeit with several other left-handed bats (deal with it), gives them an argument for the scariest top of the lineup in baseball.
ROSTER/CLUBHOUSE FIT
The Red Sox have a surplus of left-handed hitting outfielders both at the MLB level and in the farm system. Normally, that would make adding Soto insensible.
He’s that good that he’s the exception, which would also open the Red Sox up to creative avenues to pursue necessary pitching additions.
Soto fits in as a corner outfielder with incredible lineup production among a number of talented young players who play a dynamic style for the Red Sox.
STAR POWER
Names do matter in big markets. Maybe that’s not always the case, but teams win with stars in the modern game. Under-the-radar finds can push a team across the finish line, but foundations are built with stars.
Soto is the perfect young face for any franchise looking to win and solidify itself as a staple contender for a World Series title year in and year out. Jarren Duran and Triston Casas are not at that level. Rafael Devers performs like that star but does not want to be the spotlight player or the lead voice in the clubhouse.
That’s exactly where Soto fits in. He can be the star that David Ortiz shined as over the last elite era of Red Sox baseball. Maybe even bigger?
