Juan Soto meets these rival teams before the Yankees

The free-agent sweepstakes for Juan Soto are starting to heat up.

According to ESPN insider Jeff Passanthe Toronto Blue Jays will have their first meeting with the 26-year-old generational outfielder in California this week. Next up, Soto meets the Boston Red Sox, followed by the New York Metsand finally the New York Yankees.

Soto is coming off a stellar first and possibly only season in the Bronx, hitting .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs. He helped lead the Yankees to their first World Series appearance in 15 years, delivering the go-ahead three-run homer in the 10th inning of ALCS Game 5 that clinched the pennant.

On Monday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed he will be part of the contingent traveling to California to meet with Soto next week. Team owner Hal Steinbrenner will also attend the meeting.

“Obviously what Juan did between the lines for us this year was pretty special, but I was also just impressed with the person,” Boone said. “It has been a pleasure to really get to know him and manage him… I want him to move forward in pinstripes. I am confident that the Steinbrenner family and the front office will do everything they can to put us in a position to have a strong team again that has a chance to fight for a championship.”

When the Yankees traded five players to acquire Soto from the San Diego Padres last December, the plan was to form one of the most terrifying one-two punches in baseball history. The plan worked, as both Soto and Aaron Judge were named finalists for AL MVP. To keep them together, the Yankees will have to offer a historic contract.

Passan noticed in his Excluding ESPN+ that Soto is expected to guarantee the longest contract in baseball history. The record currently belongs to former Padres teammate Fernando Tatis Jr., who signed a 14-year deal worth $340 million before the 2021 season. Soto’s eventual guarantees should exceed that, with reports suggesting he could ultimately earn more than $600 million.

Last season, the Los Angeles Dodgers made Shohei Ohtani the highest-paid player in MLB history with a heavily deferred 10-year contract worth $700 million. While the Dodgers have expressed interest in Soto following their World Series victory, Passan reported that they won’t pursue him aggressively unless his market softens. Ohtani’s presence at designated hitter could complicate Soto’s long-term fitness in Los Angeles due to his limited range in the outfield.

The Tampa Bay Rays have also expressed interest, but will likely sell out. As Passan notedthe Rays’ total spending over the past eight years combined ($576,716,569) is still less than the $600 million Soto is expected to receive. They currently do not have a confirmed meeting scheduled with Soto.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Monday that the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants are likely planning visits with Soto. He also said two “mystery teams” could be in the mix and described the Blue Jays as a “viable obstacle” to the Yankees and Mets, who are currently favored. Toronto was a serious contender for Ohtani last season before he ultimately signed with the Dodgers.

It’s unlikely that Soto, a client of agent Scott Boras, will see his free agency drag into the new year the way Matt Chapman, Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell did this offseason. According to Passanhis decision could even come before the winter meetings begin on December 9.