Yankees rival has ‘productive’ meeting with Juan Soto

Fresh off a historic first season at the New York Yankeesfree-agent outfielder Juan Soto has begun meeting with potential suitors in Southern California.

Soto will hear the Yankees’ opening pitch Monday New York Post columnist Jon Heyman. But before that, he spent three hours meeting with their old rivals, the Boston Red Sox.

According to an article published by MassLives Sean McAdam Friday morning, Soto’s meeting with the Red Sox took place Thursday evening and was described as a “productive” first session. Team president Sam Kennedy, chairman Tom Werner, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora represented Boston during the formal presentation to Soto and his representatives, including agent Scott Boras.

“Soto was said to be impressed with the Red Sox presentation, which included a video highlighting the franchise’s history of star players from the Dominican Republic, Soto’s native country,” McAdam said. wrote. “The Red Sox laid out their plans for the future, highlighting their new top prospects and providing a detailed overview of ownership and the Fenway Sports Group.”

David Ortiz, Manny Ramírez and Pedro Martínez are among the Dominican stars who flourished in Boston and helped end the franchise’s 86-year World Series drought in 2004. Current Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers is also an in Dominican Republic born highlight.

McAdam reported that Soto was particularly interested in the team’s dedication to winning, their player evaluation methods, and Fenway Park’s facilities. The Red Sox did not discuss contract terms or make a formal offer to Soto, as the meeting was primarily an introductory and informational conversation.

The Red Sox finished 2024 with an 81-81 record, missing the postseason for the third straight year. However, they have the seventh-best farm system according to baseball MLB Pipelinefeaturing five Top 100 prospects: Marcelo Mayer, SS (No. 5); Roman Anthony, OF (No. 14); Kyle Teel, C (No. 27); Braden Montgomery, OF (No. 59); and Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF/SS (No. 80).

In contrast, the Yankees posted the best record in the American League at 94–68 and captured their first pennant in 15 years, but lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games in the World Series. The New York farm system ranks 18th in the MLB, with only one prospect among the Top 100: Jasson Domínguez, OF (No. 17).

Over the years, the biggest stars to switch allegiances in the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry have almost always moved from Boston to New York: Babe Ruth, Red Ruffing, Sparky Lyle, Luis Tiant, Wade Boggs, Johnny Damon and Jacoby Ellsbury. However, a few notable players have done the opposite, including Elston Howard, Don Baylor and David Cone.

If the Red Sox could lure Soto away from the Yankees with a massive contract after just one season in pinstripes, it would mark one of the most dramatic twists in the history of the rivalry.

In 2024, Soto posted a .288/.419/.569 slash line with 41 home runs and 109 RBI, joining teammate Aaron Judge as a finalist for the AL Most Valuable Player award. Soto also delivered one of the most memorable at-bats of the Yankees season: a seven-pitch battle that ended with a go-ahead, three-run homer in the 10th inning of ALCS Game 5.

The 26-year-old Soto is expected to land a contract with a term of more than ten years, which could ultimately exceed $600 million in guarantees. The four-time All-Star also has meetings with the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets before his session with the Yankees, with manager Aaron Boone, owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman expected to attend.

Many insiders, including ESPN’s Jeff PassanI think Soto’s free agency could be completed before the Winter Meetings start on December 9.