The Red Sox are in hot pursuit of Juan Soto, and insiders are mixed on their chances to land the All-Star outfielder.
Boston reportedly was among five teams that submitted “preliminary” offers to the 26-year-old. The Philadelphia Phillies could get in the mix, but the Red Sox are competing with the New York clubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. Soto reportedly was “impressed” with his meeting with Boston leadership, and there seems to be a realistic chance the star slugger chooses it in free agency.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden noted the Red Sox were “all-in” this offseason and admitted Friday he “won’t be surprised” if they added at least two of Corbin Burnes, Max Fried and Roki Sasaki. However, as for Soto, the former MLB general manager and insider wasn’t too optimistic.
“I also see them adding a bat, with (Teoscar) Hernández or (Anthony) Santander more likely than Soto,” Bowden wrote in a mailbag column.
Bowden added that Boston “is ready to be decisive and more aggressive in the offseason again.” So his belief that Soto won’t land with the Red Sox isn’t due to a lack of inaction from the front office; it’s more that he expects the New York clubs to remain aggressive to keep the Dominican superstar in the Big Apple.
Hernández confirmed that Boston did pursue him during the last free agency cycle, and the sides reportedly were linked again. The veteran outfielder would give the Red Sox a much-needed right-handed bat, and the 32-year-old loves playing at Fenway Park.
Santander also would be an interesting addition to Boston. The 30-year-old is coming off his first All-Star season where he won the Silver Slugger. He stepped up as one of the Baltimore Orioles’ top sluggers when injuries ravaged them. The veteran switch-hitter also has a career 1.060 OPS at Fenway Park, so he’d be an ideal fit.
Of course, fans want Soto. However, if the Red Sox did miss out on the superstar, solid backup options are still left in free agency.
