Mets aren’t only ‘serious threat’ to Yankees in Juan Soto sweepstakes

The Mets have always been viewed as a favorite to land Juan Soto in free agency this winter. Their owner, Steve Cohen, has the financial firepower and all-in mentality to present Soto with an offer that’ll be hard to refuse.
When it comes to the money, Cohen could turn out to be the biggest obstacles to Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and his ability to retain Soto this winter.
With the Winter Meetings on the horizon and offers starting to roll in, another team is reportedly distinguishing itself as a real threat to the Yankees in this Soto sweepstakes.
The Red Sox are “increasingly seen as a legitimate contender” for Soto, Jon Heyman and Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post reported on Tuesday. They called the Red Sox a “serious threat” to the Yankees.
“Word is they are stepping up efforts to lure the superstar hitter away from their historic AL East nemesis,” Heyman and Sanchez wrote. “Sources say the Red Sox are attempting to sell Soto on his fit in Boston — a fit both at Fenway Park and within the history of the franchise.”
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If the money is right, Boston could be a solid fit for Soto. He’d play in front of a rabid fan base, stay on the East Coast, benefit from the Green Monster in left with his ability to go the other way and he’d be the latest Dominican superstar to play for the Red Sox. Plus, he’d have lineup protection from third baseman (and Yankees killer) Rafael Devers.
Boston would need to sell Soto on winning now and sustaining championship contention, though. This is, after all, the team that traded Mookie Betts away rather than signing him to a long-term deal in 2020. They’ve also made the playoffs in only one of the six seasons since they won the World Series in 2018. Would Soto really have a better chance to win and play for a perennial playoff contender if he signed with the Red Sox over the Yankees or Mets?
Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy confirmed at the Owners Meetings earlier this month that Boston is pursuing Soto. He also insisted that they can afford the outfielder, even after adding Devers’ $313 million deal to the payroll.
“Even if it takes us over the CBT,” Kennedy told Michael Silverman of the Boston Globe, referring to the first threshold of the competitive balance tax. “Our priority is 90 to 95 wins, winning the American League East, and winning the division for multiple years.”
Boston, like the Yankees, was reportedly in on Blake Snell before the ace signed with the Dodgers on Tuesday night. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Red Sox are now focusing in on left-hander Max Fried.
Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media reported on Monday that the Red Sox, Yankees and Mets are among the five teams to present Soto with a contract offer so far.
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Max Goodman may be reached at [email protected].