Juan Soto free agency buzz: We...

Dec. 4, 7:45 p.m.

The window for a Soto decision is seemingly getting smaller.

ESPN's Jeff Passan talked the latest on the Soto negotiations on Wednesday's SportsCenter and broke down when we may find out where the 26-year-old phenom is going.

"The expectation is that there will be meetings over the weekend and it’s at that point Juan Soto will decide where he is going to go. We will know, at latest, at the time the Winter Meetings in Dallas start.”

The Winter Meetings begin Monday, Dec. 9.

Passan also said that the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Dodgers are all still in on the negotiations and have made offers.

SNY's Andy Martino reported that a decision is not imminent but it's widely believed a decision will not drag too deeply into the Winter Meetings.

Dec. 4, 8:44 a.m.

Soto has multiple offers above $600 million, according to a report in The Athletic, which notes that "all remaining contenders" have offered at least $600 million.

The report, which lists the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Dodgers are the teams "publicly known to be most serious" about signing Soto, does not specify if all five teams have offered that much or if one or more have been eliminated from contention to sign the 26-year-old.

Soto's agent, Scott Boras, told reporters on Tuesday that Soto had begun the process of eliminating teams.

In The Athletic report, it's written that the Mets are "widely regarded as the favorite," while the Yankees "desperately want to keep Soto" and the Red Sox have "emerged as a surprising force in the negotiations."

SNY's Andy Martino reported on Tuesday that Soto is expected to choose a new team this week, before the Winter Meetings begin in Dallas. Officials from each MLB club will start to arrive in Dallas on Sunday, with the meetings officially beginning on Monday.

According to multiple reports, the present-day value of Soto's deal is expected to exceed the deferral-filled 10-year, $700 million contract Shohei Ohtani signed last offseason with the Dodgers.

Dec. 3, 6:35 p.m.

With the Winter Meetings looming, it seems where Juan Soto will go in free agency will be known sooner than we may believe.

Scott Boras, Soto's agent, was at Blake Snell's Dodgers introductory news conference Tuesday and was asked about Soto and whether a signing was imminent.

“When you’re going through these things, he’s just got a lot of information to meld through,” Boras said. “We’ve had meetings with a number of franchises. He’s begun the process of eliminating teams and doing things. Juan is a very methodical thinker, so we’ll see, but I don’t think anything is imminent in the near future.”

The 2024 Winter Meetings will begin Monday, Dec. 9 in Dallas.

The Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Dodgers are the teams known to be in play for Soto.

Dec. 3, 8:46 a.m.

The Yankees have had "several productive conversations" with Soto, Jack Curry of YES reported on Monday, adding that "they have obviously exchanged offers about money."

Curry, speaking on Yankees Hot Stove, said his expectation is that the "real value" of Soto's deal will exceed that of Shohei Ohtani's deferral-filled $700 million contract, which would mean an average annual value for Soto of $46 million or more.

"The Yankees have been very comfortable with the presentation and the process that they have had with Soto," Curry said. "They feel they've made this a priority, they have put their best foot forward, and they say that they are comfortable with whatever decision he ends up making, because they feel that they have sent the message to him -- they want him in New York.

"When you're swimming in these waters, you know you're willing to go to that level to pay him. And they're trying to send that message that, hey, they want him back in right field and they want him there for a long time."

In addition to the Yankees, the Mets, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Dodgers are the teams known to be in play for Soto.

The expectation is that a deal could be reached before or during the MLB Winter Meetings, which unofficially begin on Sunday when officials from every team begin to arrive.

SNY's Andy Martino reported on Monday that interested teams are "in the dark" when it comes to Soto's intentions.

Nov. 27, 5:00 p.m.

The Yankees recently upgraded their initial bid for Soto, according to a report from Jon Heyman of The New York Post. While other teams in the sweepstakes remain potential landing spots with the Winter Meetings less than two weeks away, the Yankees' latest effort signals how serious they are about retaining the 26-year-old superstar.

New York has also contacted free-agent starters Corbin Burnes and Max Fried in recent days, according to Heyman, but the pursuit of Soto remains the top priority. When the All-Star outfielder signs, he'll likely garner more than $600 million. The Yankees have also reportedly told Soto that they're willing to include opt-out terms in the package.

Nov. 27, 8:42 a.m.

The Red Sox are viewed as a "legitimate contender" to sign Soto and are "stepping up efforts" to get him to Boston, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post.

Boston and four other teams -- the Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays, and Dodgers -- reportedly have preliminary offers out to Soto.

Per Heyman, executives who are involved in the bidding for Soto expect some offers to reach $600 million or more.

There was nothing in the New York Post report regarding what Boston's preliminary offer was or how high they might be willing to go for Soto.

While involved in the market for Soto, the Red Sox are also viewed as a potential landing spot for either Corbin Burnes or Max Fried -- the two best MLB free agent starting pitchers on a market that also includes Japanese ace Roki Sasaki.

Blake Snell -- another pitcher the Sox were linked to -- signed a five-year, $182 million deal with the Dodgers on Tuesday night.

Nov. 26, 12:30 a.m.

The Soto sweepstakes has officially entered the next phase.

After Soto and agent Scott Boras met with potential suitors earlier this month for teams to make their pitch and get to know each other better, the remaining interested teams were expected to begin makings offers for the superstar outfielder this week.

We've now learned that according to numerous reports those five teams who have made offers are the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Blue Jays.

The terms haven't been revealed on any of the offers, but the expectation is that the 26-year-old slugger will land a deal that will make him the highest-paid position player in baseball history.

Nov. 25, 9:41 a.m.

With the sweepstakes for Soto expected to soon heat up, executives around the league view the Mets as the "clear-cut favorite," reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Those executives don't think Mets owner Steve Cohen will be outbid for Soto, and believe that the Yankees "have a price in mind that they don't want to exceed" for him.

Per Nightengale, the two other teams seriously involved in the Soto market are the Red Sox and the Blue Jays.

However, Nightengale notes that the Jays "would have to dramatically beat the Mets' offer to have a prayer."

As far as the Phillies, they have not yet spoken to Soto's agent, Scott Boras, to express interest.

Nov. 24, 3:00 p.m.

According to a report from ESPN's Buster Olney, interested teams are expected to begin forwarding offers to Soto and agent Scott Boras this week.

Olney also reiterated that the meetings Soto has had with clubs were more about getting to know the team and hearing their pitch, with financials not involved.

The Soto sweepstakes is reportedly down to five or six teams: the Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Dodgers, and possibly the Phillies, who reportedly plan to meet with Soto, though it's currently unknown whether or not that meeting happened.

Nov. 21, 3:34 p.m.

The Soto sweepstakes could be down to five or six teams, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post.

Those teams are the Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Dodgers, and possibly the Phillies -- though Philadelphia has not yet had a meeting with Soto's camp.

Per Heyman, following Soto's meeting with Yankees brass earlier this week, the slugger "felt better" about Hal Steinbrenner and the Yanks than he previously had.

Yankees people think Soto will take the best deal offered, with Heyman noting that is why the Mets are "probably as well-positioned as anyone."

The Mets, Yankees, Jays, and Red Sox have already met with Soto, and the Dodgers had been expected to meet with him earlier this week.

It's unclear where things stand with the Phillies.

Nov. 20, 11:35 p.m.

The Boston Red Sox are officially in the Soto Sweepstakes with team president and CEO Sam Kennedy confirming the club's meeting with the coveted free agent outfielder this week and highlighting a sense of "extreme urgency internally" driving the team to spend on players – even if they are unable to get Soto – to end a postseason drought.

“Even if it takes us over the [competitive balance tax],” Kennedy said Wednesday at the MLB owners meetings, via The Boston Globe. “Our priority is 90 to 95 wins, and winning the American League East, and winning the division for multiple years.”

As it stands now at the start of free agency, the Red Sox have the 13th highest payroll ($163.9 million) when it comes to the CBT, which is expected to be $241 million for the 2025 season. After fielding a $224 million squad that finished the year 81-81 last season, is it possible for them to offer the type of money it appears likely to require to secure Soto’s signature?

“Is that possible? If that’s what it takes, yeah, absolutely,” Kennedy said, via The Globe. “We are investing more than we did last year. We intend to invest going forward. There is an extreme urgency internally to be competing for the American League East Championship and to set ourselves up for a deep postseason run in 2025 without question. The goal is to win 90 plus games to not be worrying about a wild-card spot.”

Of course, Kennedy did not mention Soto’s name when speaking with reporters, saying, “I’m not allowed to talk about the player but it’s going to be that person’s decision.”

Interestingly – or perhaps it is nothing more than a red herring – the Globe noted that the interview with the Red Sox president was interrupted by a phone call from David Ortiz. The topic of conversation with Ortiz was not revealed but the reporter observed Kennedy “appeared quite pleased by the conversation.”

Nov. 20, 12:51 p.m.

Speaking at the MLB owners meetings on Wednesday, Hal Steinbrenner shed light on the Yankees' recent sit-down with Soto.

Steinbrenner noted that he hadn't yet thought about a "walk-away number" for Soto or an overall payroll number for the team.

As far as the Yankees' confidence level when it comes to retaining Soto?

"No idea," Steinbrenner told reporters, including Tim Healey of Newsday. "We’ll be in the mix. I'll leave it at that."

Regarding what the Yankees fans want, Steinbrenner quipped that he's "got ears" and knows what's expected of him.

Steinbrenner was also asked if losing Soto to the Mets would hurt especially badly.

“No," he responded. "As I said, we’re going to be in the mix for Soto. If it doesn’t work out, it’s going to hurt a little bit no matter where he goes."

As things currently stand, the Yankees have roughly $220 million committed to the payroll for 2025. Signing Soto would likely bring that number close to $270 million. The Yanks have roughly $130 million committed to four players through 2027 -- a number that would jump to nearly $180 million for five players with Soto back in the mix.

Here's what Steinbrenner had to say about the Yankees' payroll:

"We're in a better starting position than we were a year ago. There's no doubt about that. Look, year after year after year after year, payrolls similar to this year and the luxury taxes they produce are not sustainable, not feasible, and that's the case for the vast majority of owners, and maybe all of the owners.

"Doesn't mean in any given year I can't do what I want to do. I mean, we've got the ability to sign any player we want to sign."

Nov. 19, 9:30 p.m.

The Yankees are reportedly "encouraged" by their Monday meeting with Juan Soto and his desire to remain in the Bronx.

According to NJ.com's Bob Klapisch, the Yankees left their meeting with Soto's camp feeling positive. The Yankees contingent consisted of Hal Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levin, GM Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone and senior advisor Omar Minaya, and they all addressed Soto directly.

Soto reportedly wanted confirmation from Steinbrenner about his commitment to excellence. The 2024 MVP finalist also reportedly pointed out where the Yankees need to improve, which Steinbrenner said there will be upgrades to next year's roster.

The Mets and Steve Cohen are believed to be the biggest obstacle to a Yankees reunion with Soto, but according to Klapisch, Steinbrenner is believed to be "100 percent committed" to being competitive with Cohen.

Soto's team has already met with the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Mets with the Phillies and Dodgers still planning to meet with the superstar outfielder.

Nov. 19, 11:59 a.m.

The Phillies are planning to meet with Soto, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post.

The Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays have already met with Soto, with the Dodgers expected to have a sit-down with him on Tuesday.

Other teams that have been linked to the star outfielder include the Giants and Rays.

The Phillies currently have a payroll projected to be around $260 million for 2025, factoring in their arbitration-eligible players and before any external additions.

Philadelphia's payroll is top-heavy, with $120.2 million committed to four players (Zack Wheeler, Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, Aaron Nola) through 2027.

But the Phillies' payroll commitments drop in a big way after 2027, with just $88.63 million currently on the books.

Nov. 18, 7:39 p.m.

Next up in the Soto sweepstakes are the Los Angeles Dodgers who will hold their meeting with the outfielder and his agent Scott Boras early this week, possibly as early as Tuesday, reports MLB's Mark Feinsand.

The Dodgers, who do not need to travel far, will be following both the Mets and Yankees who met with Soto in Los Angeles on Sunday and Monday, respectively.

Los Angeles will be the fifth team to sit down with the free agent Soto. That list also includes the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox and will surely get bigger with teams such as the San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays also in the mix, per Feinsand.

Nov. 18, 9:02 a.m.

The Yankees will make their pitch to Soto and his camp on Monday in California, per multiple reports.

Their meeting with Soto comes two days after he met with a Mets contingent that included owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns.

Soto also met with the Red Sox and Blue Jays last week.

It is unclear if the Yankees' meeting with Soto is the last in-person powwow he'll have before negotiations for his services heat up.

SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino recently reported that there could be a resolution with Soto before or around the MLB Winter Meetings, which start on Dec. 9.

The expectation is that Soto, who recently turned 26 years old, will sign a deal that's potentially as long as 14 years and worth upwards of $600 million.

Nov. 16, 11:06 a.m.

A day after reports indicated representatives from the Boston Red Sox held a "productive" meeting with the free agent, some new details emerged about the three-hour encounter.

Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported that he is hearing that ownership from the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays made "impressive in-person presentations" to Soto.

Heyman noted that there are still "multiple team owners" who have yet to make their pitch to the highly-coveted 26-year-old outfielder and will have their opportunity to do so in the coming days.

Toronto's meeting with Soto – as first reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan – took place in California this week. The Mets and Yankees have yet to meet with Soto.

Nov. 15, 8:46 a.m.

The Red Sox had a "productive," three-hour meeting with Soto and his representatives on Thursday in California, reports Sean McAdam of MassLive.

Per MassLive, the Boston contingent at the meeting consisted of president Sam Kennedy, chairman Tom Werner, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, and manager Alex Cora.

During the meeting, the Red Sox screened a video that showcased their "history of star players from the Dominican Republic" and went over their plans for the future -- including their highly-rated farm system.

According to MassLive, Soto inquired about "the team's commitment to winning, player evaluation methods, and Fenway Park and its facilities."

Because the meeting was a get-to-know-you session, there was no formal offer made, per MassLive.

The Red Sox are in the midst of a downturn, with their last winning season coming in 2021. They finished in last place in the AL East in 2022 and 2023, and went 81-81 in 2024, finishing in third place -- behind the Yankees and Orioles.

Boston's future payroll situation is strong, with the team having just a shade over $90 million on the books for 2026 -- theoretically giving them the flexibility to extend a massive offer to Soto.

Nov. 14, 12:07 p.m.

Former Met Carlos Beltran, who is now a special assistant to president of baseball operations David Stearns, recently discussed New York's pursuit of Soto.

"The Mets want to improve the team and there is no doubt that they will go after all the players that are on the open market knowing that the piece that everyone wants is Juan Soto, and the Mets do not rule out going full blast after him," Beltran told Joseph Reboyras of Primera Hora in Spanish.

Beltran also talked about the dedication and seriousness of owner Steve Cohen, and how that could impact the Soto sweepstakes.

"The owner of the Mets is one of the wealthiest in the game and he wants to win," Beltran said. "When he tells the press that he wants to win, he doesn’t say it to get the fan excited and go to the ballpark. Really, it’s something personal for him and I was able to experience it this year being around the team."

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor traveled to Los Angeles earlier this week. When approached, he would not confirm or deny whether he was there to attend the Mets' scheduled sit-down with Soto, who is meeting in California with interested clubs.

Beltran discussed the importance of a player like Lindor possibly helping to recruit Soto.

"That is always important. I think that you as a free agent player, knowing what Lindor did last year, and what you know he can do, there is no doubt that you want to associate or share your career with players like Lindor," Beltran said. "I know that is an influence and I know that Soto will probably consider that. He already experienced Judge. Now he has the opportunity to listen to, at least, Lindor."

Nov. 13, 9:12 a.m.

The Giants have been expected to be among the top suitors for Soto, but they don't have a meeting set with him yet, according to Jayson Stark of The Athletic.

Soto is starting to take meetings this week in California, according to multiple reports.

The Blue Jays, Red Sox, Mets, and Yankees have meetings on the books for this week, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

As far as the Giants, they have been trying (and failing) to lure big free agents to San Francisco in recent years.

They were in on Shohei Ohtani last offseason before he signed with the Dodgers, and were deep in discussions with Aaron Judge a few offseasons ago before he re-signed with the Yankees.

While the Giants have been linked to Soto, it was reported last week by Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic that their offseason is "expected to be marked by austerity measures." That wouldn't seem to mesh with an all-out pursuit of Soto, who could get a contract worth $600 million or more.

Nov. 12, 9:40 a.m.

While the Dodgers are interested in Soto, it seems unlikely they'll be serious players for his services.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that the Dodgers "won't chase after Soto," adding that they would "gladly consider him" if his market softens.

Soto's market softening is highly unlikely, with the 26-year-old being heavily pursued by most of the biggest-spending clubs in the sport.

The Dodgers have the wherewithal to sign any player, but their long-term salary obligations (to Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and others) and current needs (starting pitching) make them a dubious fit for Soto.

It has also been reported that Soto has a strong preference for the East Coast, which could bode well for the Mets, Yankees, and Red Sox.

Per Passan, the above three teams and the Blue Jays have meetings set up with Soto this week.

Passan notes that Soto could sign before the Winter Meetings begin on Dec. 9.

Nov. 6, 10:40 p.m.

The Juan Soto sweepstakes continues and the teams vying for his services are reportedly becoming more clear.

According to Jon Heyman of The Post, the Tampa Bay Rays are among seven known teams that have checked on Soto. The 80-82 club joins the Yankees, Mets, Giants, Blue Jays, Dodgers and Red Sox looking to bring the outfielder in.

There are at least four other mystery teams that reached out to Soto's camp, bringing the total number to 11.

SNY's Andy Martino reported Wednesday that there's a sense Soto "enjoyed the Yankee experience and will return if the team presents what he considers a fair offer." What that number is, is still unknown.

As for the Mets, Martino says he has the "impression that the Mets are willing to be very aggressive financially" in their attempts to acquire Soto.

Oct. 31, 9:23 p.m.

Although MLB free agency is still days away, teams have already begun courting Soto just hours after the Yankees' season ended in Game 5 of the World Series.

Up to 11 teams have checked in on the star outfielder, and the number that may get a contract done with him is $700 million, Jon Heyman of the NY Post reports. Teams cannot discuss money until five days after the end of the World Series.

One of those reported 11 teams is seemingly the Mets.

The Mets are interested in acquiring Soto in free agency, according to The Post's Mike Puma. It doesn't come as any surprise, as a lot of money from contracts to Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander comes off the books this offseason.

"We've got financial flexibility," president of baseball operations David Stearns said at Citi Field on Wednesday during his end-of-season news conference. "It means that pretty much the entirety of the player universe is potentially accessible to us. That's an enormous opportunity. I envision us taking advantage of that opportunity, and being aggressive in certain spaces."

Soto said after Game 5 that he desires to go to a winning team, but won't close the door on any organization and that "every team has the same opportunity."