The Juan Soto race is underway. Soto and agent Scott Boras started assembly with groups this week, with the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Crimson Sox reportedly among the many first to get face-to-face time. The Mets and Yankees each have assembly scheduled as effectively. The 2 New York groups are anticipated to pursue Soto most aggressively, although they may hardly be alone.
Thursday evening the Crimson Sox met with Soto and Boras for roughly three hours, experiences MassLive.com. Boston was represented by chairman Tom Werner, president Sam Kennedy, CBO Craig Breslow, and supervisor Alex Cora. The assembly was introductory in nature, and contract phrases weren’t mentioned. That can come later, presumably.
Listed below are some particulars on Boston’s assembly with Soto and likewise what Soto requested the Crimson Sox, through MassLive.com:
Soto was stated to be impressed by the Crimson Sox’ presentation, which included a video being attentive to the franchise’s historical past of star gamers from the Dominican Republic, Soto’s native nation. The Crimson Sox laid out their plans for the longer term and highlighted the crop of soon-to-be-arriving prime prospects whereas giving an in depth define of possession and Fenway Sports activities Group.
In flip, Soto needed to know concerning the crew’s dedication to profitable, participant analysis strategies, and Fenway Park and its services.
Cash will after all play a job in Soto’s determination, however there are different issues. All through the summer time he stated he needs to be with a crew that provides him an opportunity to win yearly, so it is no shock then that he requested the Crimson Sox about their participant analysis and dedication. Additionally, Soto has performed in Fenway Park, however visiting and calling a spot dwelling are very completely different.
Frankly, questioning the Crimson Sox about their dedication to profitable is truthful. They have been to the postseason as soon as within the final six years and have solely two profitable seasons throughout that point. Additionally, the Crimson Sox completed 2024 with a $223.1 million payroll for aggressive steadiness tax functions. That ranked twelfth in baseball. Why do the Boston Crimson Sox rank center of the pack in payroll?
The Crimson Sox are woefully quick on pitching, although the lineup boasts spectacular 20-somethings Wilyer Abreu, Triston Casas, Rafael Devers, Jarren Duran, and Ceddanne Rafaela. All however Rafaela are lefty hitters like Soto, which might create a lineup imbalance, however it’s Juan Soto. They will determine it out if he agrees to register Boston. Boston’s farm system could be very wealthy as effectively.
Soto turned solely 26 final month. He slashed .288/.419/.569 with a career-high 41 dwelling runs and a career-high 7.9 WAR in 2024. Soto is an AL MVP finalist and our prime ranked free agent. The Crimson Sox went 81-81 this previous season and completed 5 video games out of a wild-card spot.
