Earlier this fall, an individual allegedly close with Juan Soto revealed that the Toronto Blue Jays were preparing “to make an astronomical offer” for the All-Star outfielder in free agency.
On Monday, MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post shared that the Blue Jays “just might be the” team that keeps Soto from either re-signing with the New York Yankees or joining the New York Mets.
“The Jays are viewed by industry sources as a viable obstacle to the favored Yankees and Mets, thanks to a well-heeled ownership and strong incentive to improve coming off the abject disappointment of 2024,” Heyman said about a Toronto team that finished this past season at 74-88. “They’ve had difficulty luring superstars, presumably due to geography and finances (high taxes and the Canadian dollar complicate things). But word is they are highly motivated, and sources suggest they plan to be in big.”
The Blue Jays reportedly were serious contenders to sign two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani last offseason before they learned he wanted to live out West and feature for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani’s decision worked out rather well for hundreds of millions of reasons, one of which was that he became a World Series champion in late October.
While numerous industry insiders have repeatedly insisted the Yankees and Mets are the favorites to win the Soto sweepstakes, ESPN’s Jeff Passan said for a piece published Tuesday morning that the Blue Jays landed the first offseason meeting in California with the 26-year-old’s camp. Big-name agent Scott Boras said at the GM meetings last week that his client wants “ownership that’s going to support that they are going to win annually.”
That ownership will likely have to be willing to pay Soto $600M+ in guaranteed money.
“The Mets’ pursuit has gotten a hand from shortstop Francisco Lindor, who would love another star in Queens and has taken a role in recruiting Soto, while the Yankees can point to Soto’s excellence in the Bronx this season as a precursor for more,” Passan added.
It appears Lindor and others within the Mets need to be worried about more than just the Yankees as it pertains to the Amazins possibly failing to convince Soto to play home games in Queens.