**Yankees’ Juan Soto Could Join a Surprise Team in Free Agency**
With New York Yankees superstar Juan Soto approaching free agency, speculation is growing about where the highly sought-after player might sign this winter. While it’s expected that the Yankees and their city rivals, the New York Mets, will be the primary contenders for Soto’s long-term contract, another team could shock the baseball world by securing his services.
**The Los Angeles Dodgers Emerge as a Potential Contender for Soto**
Jon Heyman of the New York Post recently shared the odds of each team’s chances of signing Soto this offseason. He gave the Yankees and Mets the highest odds, with the Los Angeles Dodgers ranked third among potential suitors. “Yankees even money,” Heyman noted via Bleacher Report. “I’m sticking with the (New York Mets) at five-to-one, second choice. That doesn’t leave much room for anyone else. I have the (Los Angeles Dodgers) at 15-to-1, the (San Francisco Giants) at 20-to-1, (the Toronto Blue Jays) at 25-to-1, and the (Philadelphia Phillies), (Boston Red Sox), (Chicago Cubs), and (Washington Nationals) as longer shots.”
**Dodgers’ History of Signing High-Profile Free Agents**
The Dodgers have been known for signing high-profile free agents in recent years. They locked up Mookie Betts after trading for him in 2020, signed Freddie Freeman after the 2021 season, and brought in Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto last winter. Despite being a big-market team with deep pockets, landing Soto would still be a major surprise, given the financial commitment it would require.
Last offseason, the Dodgers signed Ohtani to a $700 million contract, with $680 million deferred. Soto, at just 25 years old, is expected to command a contract extending beyond 12 or 13 years, which could significantly impact the Dodgers’ payroll, already burdened with star talent.
**Yankees Must Retain Soto in Free Agency**
The Yankees face pressure to re-sign Soto and cannot afford to lose him in free agency. His debut season in New York has been his best yet, with 37 home runs, 96 RBIs, and the second-highest OPS in baseball at 1.014, just behind his teammate Aaron Judge. Soto’s impact has helped the Yankees achieve the best record in the American League, positioning them to end a 15-year championship drought. The bidding for Soto is expected to be intense, but the Yankees must do everything possible to avoid being outbid.
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