Monday marked the official start date for free agency. The benefit of free agency is it gives the ultimate freedom to star players about when and where they want to sign. There's no real cut-off period or allotted time allowed to a player until they put pen to paper. Juan Soto will undoubtedly reap the spoils of offers coming his way, taking as much time as he and his agent, Scott Boras, see fit.
Soto is a true fit anywhere he lands this winter. He's an on-base machine at a career .421 clip and holds a career .921 OPS. He also has some pop for a career 160 OPS+. The New York Yankees had their dreams materialize this season having him bat second in front of the AL MVP favorite and home run king, Aaron Judge.
Despite the storybook season and winning the pennant, Soto has remained uncommitted to where he will end up. He knows full well the availabilities that remain for him and very much looks forward to the suitors that will present themselves.
The Philadelphia Phillies had another disappointing end to a promising year and they are looking to add on and fill in the cracks that still remain on the roster. Since Phillies managing partner John Middleton affirmed the possibility of increasing payroll for 2025, Soto was the immediate player that matched what ownership was willing to add.
Phillies in the second tier of suitors for Juan Soto this winter
In a recent article by The Athletic, they ranked the possible suitors for Soto's services (subscription required). The Phillies line up in Tier 2, behind the Yankees, New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers in the top tier.
The Yankees still garner the respect of Soto's experience in only one year in the Bronx, while the Mets and Dodgers have deep pockets. Mets owner Steve Cohen maintains a strong working relationship with Boras and Cohen could certainly afford Soto. The Dodgers also have a stupid amount of money, with plenty of it in deferrals to offset their top-heavy payroll.
What the Phillies have going for them, even with their higher payroll, some of that money will come off the books in just a couple of years. If Middleton and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski want Soto bad enough, they aren't afraid to step into that realm of the top-tier suitors.
A look at current MLB club player payroll commitments for the 2025 season 💰https://t.co/f7K0zdtuGq pic.twitter.com/qMXVzxZ2l2
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 4, 2024
They're seen as an outsider looking in as the payroll stands now. Who's to say the Phillies don't take that leap for Soto and even throw in some deferred money to sweeten the deal? The Phillies might pay a portion of the contract upfront and Soto gets his much desired contract.
The Phillies have the money to do it and a willingness to get another star. There will always be talk about the return on investment, especially if you sign a star like Soto who may demand $600+ million. The money is a commitment, but so is improving this club in this window, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.
It is unexpected for the Phillies to wind up with Soto. The caveat is if nobody cares about how much even the 1927 Yankees were shelling out for their dynasty, why not make a statement and bring in somebody like Soto, who will be the difference-maker? Money doesn't mean anything if you lose the last game of the season.
Championships are forever and if it takes more commitment and willingness to be a top landing spot for a generational talent, then Soto is the guy.