Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
‘They want this guy’: Red Sox legends reportedly involved in Juan Soto recruitment
"The Red Sox aren't in this for show."
The Red Sox recruiting pitch to Juan Soto: As the rumors continue to swirl about the Red Sox pursuit of coveted MLB free agent Juan Soto, it seems that Boston’s leadership is trying to play every possible card to gain an advantage.
According to MLB.com reporter Ian Browne, the Red Sox attempt to sign Soto, a 26-year-old superstar with four All-Star appearances and five Silver Slugger Awards, is not just for public releations.
“The Red Sox aren’t in this for show,” Browne wrote Tuesday. “They realize they need to get their fans more invested in the team again after a down period in which they’ve prioritized rebuilding the farm system and developing a nice core of young players at the Major League level over winning now. They’ve said emphatically numerous times this winter that they are out of that stage and are in it to win it.”
Advertisement:
Granted, a potential deal for Soto won’t be cheap. According to MLB reporter Ken Rosenthal, the “floor” of the bidding for the Dominican Republic native is currently $600 million.
Still, as Browne explained, it’s not a question of resources.
“They have plenty of money,” he said. “They realize they are losing traction in the market and haven’t recovered from trading Mookie. They need to regain that traction and getting Soto is the quickest way to do it.”
In addition to the hard pitch of a ballooning contract figure, Boston appears to be pulling all available levers. This includes some notable recruiters.
Advertisement:
“From what I’ve heard, they’ve had everyone from David Ortiz to Rafael Devers to perhaps even Dustin Pedroia trying to sell Soto,” Browne said. “I don’t think they are pulling all that stuff just to drive the market up. They want this guy. Whether they get him or not, who knows.”
Soto played the 2024 season with the Yankees, with whom he reached the World Series. New York arguably remains the favorite in the process, having an edge to re-sign the slugger.
Yet with Ortiz and other ex-Red Sox in the picture, it could add an extra element to help tempt him away from Boston’s A.L. East rival.
Trivia: In terms of the total salary number, what is the second biggest contract in Red Sox history after Rafael Devers’ $312 million deal signed in 2023?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He was eventually traded to the Dodgers as part of a larger deal.
Scores and schedules:
The Bruins defeated the Red Wings 3-2 on Tuesday. Boston will play again tonight, facing the Blackhawks in Chicago at 7:30 p.m.
The Celtics are also in action tonight, facing the Pistons at TD Garden at 7:30 p.m.
And the Boston Fleet will be at the Tsongas Center against the Minnesota Frost in the 2024-25 home opener. The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m.
Advertisement:
More from Boston.com:
- Celtics officially eliminated from NBA Cup after improbable scenario nearly plays out
- New 2025 NFL mock draft has Patriots making ‘surprising’ first-round pick
- Rosenthal: Red Sox becoming ‘surprising force’ in Juan Soto sweepstakes
- Former Red Sox exec says Boston nixed trade for Aroldis Chapman in 2015
- Celtics’ Jayson Tatum named Eastern Conference Player of the Month
- Tim Wakefield’s Florida home is on the market for $3.9m
- Red Sox reportedly ‘in agreement’ with relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman on one-year deal
- A hard-throwing pitcher with some character issues: What to know about new Red Sox reliever Aroldis Chapman
- ‘There’s nothing I can do about it’: Bill Belichick offered his thoughts on the 3-10 Patriots
- Revolution announce signing of center back Mamadou Fofana from Amiens SC
- Flames honor the late Johnny Gaudreau and welcome his family back to Calgary
From this weekend: In case you missed it, periodic Southie resident (and Olympic gold medalist) Jessie Diggins pulled off a trademark comeback from fourth place to win a Nordic World Cup race in Ruka, Finland.
On this day: In 1982, the Celtics defeated the Pistons 119-112 thanks to a triple-double (30 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists) from Larry Bird.
Daily highlight: Iowa’s Josh Dix hit the buzzer-beater to win it for the Hawkeyes against Northwestern on Tuesday.
Trivia answer: David Price
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com