MLB Rumors: Juan Soto and Dodgers meet after free agent visits with Yankees, Mets, Red Sox | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

The Los Angeles Dodgers landed last season’s biggest prize in Shohei Ohtani, and are reportedly making moves to potentially land this season’s top player as well.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that Juan Soto and agent Scott Boras will meet with the Dodgers this week and possibly as early as Tuesday. The meeting will come after the slugger already met with the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets.

Los Angeles signed Ohtani to a 10-year deal worth $700 million last offseason, though most of that money was deferred until 2034.

That could give the team more financial flexibility, which it will need if it signs Soto. Feinsand noted that he is expected to sign a contract worth more than $500 million and possibly more than $600 million.

The Dodgers also offer more than just money, as they are the reigning World Series champions. Soto knows this all too well, as Los Angeles defeated his New York Yankees in five games in the Fall Classic.

“He’s going to commit to a team for at least 10 years, so that’s not surprising,” an American League executive said when discussing how the possibility of winning will play a role in Soto’s decision. “Even if there’s an opt-out in the contract, you’re probably looking at the next four or five years. He’s going to get paid wherever he goes, so if he feels good about his chances of winning, then that good.” to make a big difference.”

With teams presumably willing to spend big and a clear understanding of which clubs offer the best chances to win, it may not be long before Soto makes a decision.

Feinsand noted that the decision could even come before the Winter Meetings begin on December 9.

The rest of the league certainly wouldn’t like it if he signed with the Dodgers.

After all, they just won the World Series without Soto in their lineup and could be even better in 2025 if Ohtani pitches after focusing solely on hitting in 2024 while recovering from surgery. A lineup that includes Mookie Betts, Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Soto is a downright terrifying prospect for opposing pitchers.

Perhaps Los Angeles’ entry into the lottery will motivate other teams to offer Soto even more as their search continues. Because the Dodgers would certainly be World Series favorites again if they were to land him.