In Juan Soto, Red Sox finally have a target worthy of a $600m offer

Red Sox In Juan Soto, the Red Sox finally have a target worthy of a $600 million offer Juan Soto is already one of the best hitters in baseball, and just turned 26 years old last month. Juan Soto could land a $600 million contract this offseason. Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Skepticism — if not outright apathy — has run rampant among Red Sox fans over the last few winters.
After all, Boston has only punched its ticket to October once over the last six seasons.
But the Red Sox’ relative inaction during the offseason in recent years have further twisted the knife for fans who once relished in seeing their team acquire top-flight talent every December.
After a supposedly “full throttle” offseason led to underwhelming returns in 2024, Red Sox fans have warranted reservations about any rumors linking Boston to more marquee talents in free agency.
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It’s why recent reports tying Boston to superstar outfielder Juan Soto have seen initial excitement give way to dubiety.
While contending teams with deep pockets like the Yankees and Mets are expected to be frontrunners for Soto, ESPN’s Jeff Passan has tabbed Boston as one of the teams in the mix for the slugger.
Given Boston’s recent track record of balking during high-priced bidding wars, the Red Sox seem like a dark-horse candidate to reel in a free agent like Soto — who The Athletic projects to land a 13-year, $611 million contract this winter.
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Of course, Soto is not just any top free-agent target.
He’s a generational talent — one with the skill (and age) that could justify Boston breaking from its offseason autopilot in hopes of ushering in a new era of contention.
Soto’s price tag will be steep. But for a team with the fiscal capabilities like the Red Sox, signing Soto is about as close to a slam dunk as one could want in free agency.
Soto is arguably the best hitter in baseball
Yes, the Red Sox’ top priority this offseason should be bolstering their pitching. And sure, Soto’s arrival further tilts a lefty-heavy lineup more to that side of the plate.
But Soto is the type of slugger where you might discard those thoughts and just look at the baseline results.
Soto is coming off an MVP-caliber campaign with the Yankees in 2024, batting .288 with 41 home runs, 109 RBI, and a .419 on-base percentage. His production carried over into the postseason, where he helped New York win an A.L. pennant by batting .327 with four home runs and nine RBI over 14 playoff games.
Juan Soto’s go-ahead HR with