The latest Toronto Blue Jays hot stove rumor involves New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto, and the offseason hasn’t even started yet. The Blue Jays are targeting the 25-year-old free agent and could present him with an alluring offer. Free agency commences in November, but free agency rumors have already been circulating since late in the regular season. Soto’s asking price is expected to be around the $500 million mark. This rumor comes from a close friend of Soto’s who has chosen not to remain anonymous.
Yankees Slugger Juan Soto Could Get Appealing Offer From Blue Jays
Reeling in the Big Fish
Last offseason, the Blue Jays were one of the top suitors for Juan Soto, but he ended up on the Yankees after a blockbuster trade with the San Diego Padres. Now the Soto rumors have started up once again, and it will certainly be a tough competition to land him. The Yankees are already hoping to keep Soto, and we already know that outbidding the Yankees is no easy task.
Aside from the Yankees, the New York Mets are also ranked as one of the top teams targeting Soto. The Blue Jays without question want to be serious contenders in 2025. With that being said, then general manager Ross Atkins will have to work some magic to get the superstar. The Blue Jays need strong hitters if they want to rebound from their disappointing 2024 season. An average offense will not suffice, which is what the Blue Jays had this season.
Why the Blue Jays Should Push for Soto
Soto would certainly help boost the Blue Jays lineup. He should be a great complement to slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who was one of the few upsides to the Blue Jays’ season. Soto has an impressive baseball resume, earning several accolades in his seven-year career. He is a four-time All-Star and won a World Series in 2019 with the Washington Nationals as well as the Babe Ruth Award. In addition, he is a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, an NL batting champion in 2020, and a Home Run Derby champ in 2022.
This season, Soto sported a .288 batting average along with 41 home runs, 166 hits, and 109 RBI. He is the type of player that you go out of your way to offer a ludicrous contract. With his young age, just starting to enter his prime in MLB, he will continue to prosper as a lucrative player throughout his entire career.