Soto hates the West? If you participate in the LAD war, it will break out...$440 million → $500 million → 600 million, 'Wake up Ohtani'
Oct 29, 2024
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This is because the Los Angeles Dodgers, which acquired Shohei Ohtani as the highest-ever contract last winter, have also been confirmed to be willing to invest in Juan Soto.
John Heyman, a prominent New York Post columnist, said on the 28th (Korea time) that the Dodgers are interested in signing Yankees superstar Juan Soto, according to an official familiar with the Dodgers. `Multiple sources say that the Dodgers, who already have the strongest offense with the Yankees, plan to enter the bid to recruit Soto.'
The Yankees and the New York Mets are the most advanced teams in the Soto recruitment race. The Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and Toronto Blue Jays are also mentioned here. Of course, the Dodgers are also considered to be the club to pay attention to, but this is the first time that a specific source's comment has been made.
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However, the general observation is that Soto's starting point for negotiations has already exceeded $500 million, and it is surprising that the Dodgers have such an investment plan, especially as Soto hopes for a contract without a grace period of payment.
The question is whether Soto intends to go west.
Heyman said the Yankees and Mets are considered the most likely destinations in terms of financial conditions and New York's home base. The prestigious Dodgers can also afford to spend money on him, but the biggest question is would he want to go west?' he pointed out. In other words, Soto, who has settled in New York and is directly or indirectly expressing satisfaction, will not prefer to move to the West again.
Soto, who made his debut with the Washington Nationals in the NL East in 2018, moved to the San Diego Padres in the West through a summer trade in 2022 and returned to the East Division after being traded to the Yankees last winter. In other words, they have packed moving to the east → west → east for the past two years.
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However, even if Soto prefers the East, his mind may be shaken depending on the conditions the Dodgers give. In addition, it is difficult to rule out the possibility of signing a contract with the Dodgers, given that Soto only prefers the West relatively less and was preparing to negotiate an extension contract when he was in San Diego last year.
In addition, the fact that there are financial limitations for the Yankees to catch Soto could also play a role.
Columnist Joel Sherman of the same media stressed on the 22nd that the Yankees want Soto to stay, but owner Hal Steinbrenner is trying to reduce payrolls worth more than $300 million.
Taking this situation together, the Yankees and Mets in the east, Toronto, Philadelphia, the Dodgers in the west, and San Francisco are among the clubs that will actively participate in the recruitment of Soto. It can be said that the east-west giants are fiercely competing for Soto.
Soto rejected the Washington club's offer for a 15-year, $440 million extension in July 2022. It is said that a significant portion of the total amount was a payment grace period.
After that, Soto tried to enter negotiations on an extension contract last year after moving to San Diego, but it fizzled when owner Peter Seidler suddenly passed away.
Soto, who is also hitting hard in the postseason, will finally become a 'freedom ' body this time.
jhno@sportschosun.com
