Featured Columnist IVNovember 19, 2024
Rob Tringali/MLB Images through Getty Photographs
The Los Angeles Dodgers landed final offseason’s greatest prize in Shohei Ohtani, and they’re reportedly taking steps towards probably touchdown this offseason’s prime participant as effectively.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported Juan Soto and agent Scott Boras will meet with the Dodgers this week and probably as early as Tuesday. The assembly will come after the slugger already met with the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Crimson Sox and New York Mets.
Los Angeles signed Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million deal final offseason, though nearly all of that cash was deferred till 2034.
That might give the crew extra monetary flexibility, which it should want if it’s going to signal Soto. Feinsand famous he’s anticipated to signal a contract value greater than $500 million and probably greater than $600 million.
The Dodgers additionally supply extra than simply cash, as they’re reigning World Sequence champions. Soto is aware of that every one too effectively, as Los Angeles defeated his New York Yankees in 5 video games within the Fall Basic.
“He will decide to a crew for not less than a decade, in order that’s not stunning,” an American League government mentioned when discussing how the chance to win will play into Soto’s choice. “Even when there’s an opt-out within the contract, you are most likely trying on the subsequent 4 or 5 years. He will receives a commission irrespective of the place he goes, so if he can be ok with his possibilities of successful, that is going to make an enormous distinction.”
With groups presumably keen to spend main cash and a transparent understanding of which golf equipment supply the very best likelihood to win, it may not take lengthy for Soto to decide.
Feinsand famous that call may even come earlier than the Winter Conferences begin on Dec. 9.
The remainder of the league certainly would not love him signing with the Dodgers.
In any case, they only received the World Sequence with out Soto of their lineup and could possibly be even higher in 2025 if Ohtani pitches after he simply centered on hitting in 2024 as he recovered from surgical procedure. A lineup that includes the likes of Mookie Betts, Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Soto is a downright terrifying prospect for opposing pitchers.
Maybe Los Angeles being within the sweepstakes will encourage different groups to supply much more to Soto as their pursuit continues. As a result of the Dodgers would certainly be the World Sequence favorites as soon as once more in the event that they landed him.
