For the Yankees, it is not just a regional rival but a blood rival that looms as a serious threat in the Juan Soto derby.
The Red Sox are increasingly seen as a legitimate contender in the sweepstakes for the generational slugger as word is they are stepping up efforts to lure the superstar hitter away from their historic AL East nemesis.
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.
Soto is a pure hitter who uses all fields (and not a dead pull hitter who frequents the short porch in The Bronx). He enjoyed the best offensive full season of his career in his year in pinstripes — but his road OPS was 57 points higher than at home (1.017 to .960).
In Boston, the club’s best hitters have historically been left-handed (Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and David Ortiz), and lazy opposite-field fly balls from Soto could become doubles that bang off the Green Monster.
Having spent his first six seasons in the National League, Soto has played just nine career games at Fenway, where he likely would move from right field to its smaller left field defensively.
During the Red Sox’s sit-down with Soto and agent Scott Boras two weeks ago in California, which was attended by Red Sox co-owner Tom Werner, the team also stressed its rich history with star players from the Dominican Republic.
Ortiz and Pedro Martinez became legends in Beantown. Rafael Devers could become Soto’s lineup protection.
Executives involved in the bidding, which is in its relatively early stages, say they expect some offers to eventually reach or exceed $600 million, which would easily be a record for present-day value. (Shohei Ohtani’s heavily deferred $700 million Dodgers deal’s worth is pegged at between $430 million to $470 million.)
Such an expenditure from the Red Sox would be stunning for a franchise that traded away Mookie Betts rather than signing him long term; that has cut payroll significantly beginning in 2020 and spent around $120 million less last season than the Yankees; and, relatedly, that has reached the postseason in one of the past six seasons, a span that has included three last-place finishes in the AL East.
Perhaps the Red Sox and controlling owner John Henry have decided to awaken at a busy moment.
The bidding for Soto has begun, and sources confirm that at least five teams — the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Dodgers — are in.
The two New York teams are publicly viewed as favorites, but all five are believed to be in the running. The Red Sox had been seen as a long shot, but maybe they don’t view themselves that way.
They could also sell Soto as the sole face of the franchise, which would be more difficult with the Yankees (because of Aaron Judge), Mets (Francisco Lindor), Dodgers (Ohtani, among others) and perhaps Blue Jays (though Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can be a free agent after next season).
The Red Sox also can argue that they are a team on the rise, with three of MLB Pipeline’s top 10 prospects in baseball.
Soto is known to have asked clubs in the introductory meetings about their development systems.
In the chase for one of the most enticing bats to ever hit the open market, the Yankees are the incumbents with the most to lose.
Club owner Hal Steinbrenner & Co. face the most pressure after mortgaging part of their future for Soto’s services last winter.
They were rewarded with a great season and a World Series trip that came up three wins short and would rather not be forced into a Plan B that does not include Soto.
The Mets have the most money, with a highly motivated owner in Steve Cohen able to outbid anyone for a 26-year-old talent who is seen as generational for a reason.
They are coming off a surprise NLCS appearance and are well-run under David Stearns.
The Blue Jays, with Edward Rogers’ deep pockets, are seriously interested after several disappointing seasons and offseasons, unable to lure the likes of Ohtani and other superstars to Toronto.
The Dodgers’ interest is real, but they don’t relish bidding wars and several of their stars have accepted relative bargains.
While there is public skepticism about Soto’s interest in returning to the West Coast, people close to him say he loved living in San Diego and has no great geographic preference.
