David Ortiz, like many Red Sox fans, is eagerly awaiting the result of Juan Soto’s free agency with Boston among the list of suitors interested in signing the 26-year-old star outfielder.
Soto met with the Red Sox for a three-hour meeting in California, was rumored to be “impressed” with the franchise’s presentation and could make Fenway Park his next home. Of course, the price tag could mark the heftiest contract signed this offseason, but Ortiz wanted to ensure one thing about Boston’s interest in Soto.
“We need to put those types of players, that category of players, that fans feel happy to come and watch the game,” Ortiz told Rob Bradford on Audacy Sports’ “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast. “We need to go back to dominate that division. We need to go back to the old days with the sell-out (crowds), and the only way that is going to happen is investing money. And they have that already clear. That’s why all these chases this offseason with free agents in his caliber, that’s not faking. Trust me.”
Boston’s biggest splash last offseason was signing Lucas Giolito to a two-year, $38.5 million contract before the right-hander suffered a season-ending elbow injury in spring training. The team allowed for youngsters to occupy most of the lineup with rookies like Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu leaving a strong first impression. But still, the young wave of up-and-comers wasn’t enough to push the Red Sox over the edge as the team suffered its third straight postseason miss.
Pursuing Soto is a positive step forward to brighter days, insinuating that the Red Sox are willing to compete with the league’s big spenders in free agency. Soto crushed a career-best 41 home runs last season, made the All-Star Game and reached the World Series debuting with the New York Yankees. Adding a bat of his caliber would undoubtedly improve the lineup and help get the franchise back on track.
“They are trying hard. They are trying hard,” Ortiz added, per Bradford. “This is one of the situations where I can tell you that the Red Sox are chasing. They are very, very into it.”
Although Ortiz is retired, the Red Sox still have plenty of Dominican Republic-born representatives on their current roster in Brayan Bello, Rafael Devers, Luis Guerrero and Enmanuel Valdez. Like Ortiz, Soto could spend the next decade-plus cementing his legacy in Boston as one of the franchise’s all-time greats.
