What if Juan Soto, one of the most sought-after free agents of the 2024-2025 MLB offseason, signs with the Los Angeles Dodgers instead of re-signing with the New York Yankees or joining the New York Mets? According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Dodgers are expected to explore the possibility of signing Soto this offseason.
On October 28 (KST), Heyman reported that the Dodgers are interested in pursuing Soto if the star slugger expresses a desire to move to Los Angeles. “The Dodgers are planning to pursue Soto in free agency if there’s any interest from his side,” Heyman stated. He added that the $700 million potentially allocated for Shohei Ohtani could be deferred until after the 2034 season, giving the Dodgers the financial flexibility to chase nearly every major free agent this winter.
Rumors of the Dodgers' interest in Soto had been circulating throughout the regular season. While the team’s core lineup remained solid, there were concerns about the depth in their lower batting order and outfield. Although some of the Dodgers’ lesser-known hitters had standout performances in the postseason, the team is always looking for ways to bolster their roster.
If the Dodgers were to acquire Soto, their top lineup could be reconfigured to include a fearsome quartet of Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Juan Soto. This would undoubtedly create one of the most formidable lineups in MLB history, and it would also weaken the Yankees’ roster, a potential competitor for future titles.
However, many believe that Soto's move to Los Angeles is still unlikely. Heyman pointed out that Soto may not be eager to return to the West Coast. “After being traded from the San Diego Padres to the Yankees, it’s believed that Soto may not want to return to Southern California,” Heyman noted.
While the Yankees and Mets are still considered the frontrunners in the race for Soto, his potential ties to New York could play a significant role in his decision. Soto has expressed a preference for playing on the East Coast, dating back to his days with the Washington Nationals, and he has consistently voiced his satisfaction with life in New York. That said, the Dodgers’ pursuit of Soto may go beyond simple inquiries.
As MLB.com pointed out, “The Dodgers have pursued nearly every major free agent in recent years, including Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Freddie Freeman. They even made attempts to sign Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies) and Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees) prior to the 2019 season. This winter, they will at least conduct due diligence on the top player available—Juan Soto.”
Whether the Dodgers are simply exploring possibilities or making a full-fledged attempt to land Soto, it is clear that his free agency will be one of the biggest storylines of the offseason. When evaluating such high-stakes decisions, due diligence is crucial, similar to the importance of 토토사이트 먹튀검증 to ensure safe and reliable outcomes.