Red Sox Using Historic Success To Recruit Juan Soto — Will They Pay Him?

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly firmly in the running for 26-year-old free agent Juan Soto, leaning heavily on their history and the city of Boston to lure the slugger away from larger markets. If the pitch gains traction, it would be a massive blow to the Yankees, who would have to play against him as a rival after failing to re-sign him. 

The New York Post‘s Jon Heyman reported Wednesday that the Red Sox have elected to lead their pitch with a focus on the team’s historical success, specifically with Dominican-born players. Soto would have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Red Sox legends like Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz. 

As an organization, Boston has plenty to boast about in recent years. It won’t take much to convince Soto that the team is a serious contender looking to build a new core around him. Boston is also a large city, one that would allowed Soto to receive nationwide attention for the rest of his career.

For all the trophies and history going into Boston’s pitch for the generational star, however, there will always be an inescapable bottom line to negotiations. Represented by agent Scott Boras and coming off a spectacular season with the Yankees, Soto is almost certain to demand the second-largest contract in the history of baseball, right behind the record-breaking $700 million contract Shohei Ohtani signed last season.

Though the Red Sox have been one of the league’s heaviest spenders in the past, the team has taken a step back in recent years. Boston’s front office infamously declined to extend Mookie Betts, allowing the All-Star outfielder to sign with the Dodgers in 2020. It will be a minor surprise if that same team is the one who goes on to sign Soto to a deal that could exceed $600 million.

While Boston does its best to make Soto feel at home, suitors remain lined up around the block. The Yankees are still looking to re-sign their right fielder, while the Mets and Dodgers both figure as interested buyers that will spare no expense. It will almost certainly take several rounds of negotiations before the picture begins to clear.