The Major League Baseball Winter Meetings are still over two weeks away, which means that any significant movement on the free agent market is also likely two weeks away. Everyone, Philadelphia Phillies included, is waiting for mega free agent Juan Soto and his agent Scott Boras to pick a team with which to sign what will likely be a record-setting contract.
The Soto to Philadelphia rumors had somewhat petered off since the beginning of the offseason, but they’re back in full force now. Just this week, the Phillies finally jumped into the mix, with news of an impending meeting with Soto finally reaching our ears.
With Soto looking to sign with a team that’s serious about winning — and for the long-term — the Phillies have a legitimate shot at the generational hitter. Also, being willing to spend big bucks will be helpful in the pursuit.
Phillies have an advantage over the Yankees if Juan Soto is asking suitors about their farm systems
Tidbits about Soto‘s meeting with the New York Yankees, long considered a favorite in the sweepstakes, have been leaking out in recent days and one interesting item caught our attention.
Soto had questions about the Yankees' farm system.
According to Deesha Thosar of FOX Sports, "Hal Steinbrenner said Soto had questions about the Yankees’ player development process during their meeting in California."
“I just think he didn’t really spend any time at our player development complex," Steinbrenner, the Yankees managing partner, said, per Thosar. "He’s asking this about all the clubs, I’m sure. He just wants to know about the different systems, the different players, the pipeline, and all of that.”
Hal Steinbrenner said Soto had questions about the Yankees’ player development process during their meeting in California. Steinbrenner said: “I just think he didn’t really spend any time at our player development complex. He’s asking this about all the clubs, I’m sure. He just…
— Deesha (@DeeshaThosar) November 20, 2024
We don't know exactly what Soto asked, and not that there's anything blatantly negative about Steinbrenner's explanation, but it does seem a little on the defensive side.
If Soto is looking that deep into the teams courting him, the Phillies immediately have a leg up on the Yankees when it comes to development systems. What was once a weak spot is now a burgeoning strength for Philadelphia.
By MLB Pipeline's ranking, the Phillies have moved up from 25th in 2022 to 16th in this summer's August update. The Yankees are going the other (read: wrong) direction, from 12th in 2022 to 18th at last check. And Pipeline isn't the only ranking where the Phillies outshine the Yankees.
According to Baseball America's ranking (subscription required), the Phillies jumped to 14th in August after beginning the year 21st, while the Yankees dropped from ninth to 19th. Bleacher Report's post-draft list is even friendlier to the Phillies, ranking them 11th while the Yankees trail in 22nd.
We've already seen Soto's connection to current Phillies players and hitting coach Kevin Long, and as Philly Nation on X points out, Soto follows 10 Dominican players in the Phillies system on Instagram, not including trainers and assistants who were also with the Washington Nationals when he was there.
If Soto is interested in the future of the team he will potentially be joining, then the Phillies are set up to make a strong impression.
Robust drafting and development in recent years has made the transition from the Phillies' current core group of veteran players to an exciting group of top prospects look like it could be a seamless one. With names like Aidan Miller, Andrew Painter and Justin Crawford all on the precipice of the big leagues, having Soto as the future leader of the team looks like a win-win situation.