Fastball

MLB Insider Says Toronto Blue Jays Among Early Favorites For Juan Soto

It's still early, but the Blue Jays apparently still have a shot to land the biggest prize of free agency.

Brady Farkas

New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) speaks to media during workout day at Dodgers Stadium on Oct 24.
New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) speaks to media during workout day at Dodgers Stadium on Oct 24. / Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays have the early edge in the Juan Soto sweepstakes.

Heyman made the comments on Tuesday and they appeared on the New York Post Sports "X" page:

'I'd say the Mets, followed by the BlueJays, would be my guess today!'

@JonHeyman tells @BrandonLondonTV which clubs have the early edge in the Juan Soto free agency sweepstakes

It's not surprising to see the Mets in the lead at this point since they've been the reported favorite all along. They have the most money available to spend in free agency under the ownership of Steve Cohen, which is certainly appealing to Soto and his agent, Scott Boras.

As for the Blue Jays, it is surprising to see them so highly-regarded in this process. First off, the money doesn't go as far in Canada given the conversion rate and the Jays are in an uncertain time, given they have looming contract decisions with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. They also have aging and expensive roster pieces like Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and George Springer. Perhaps the future flexibility is a positive for Soto, but it will still take a few years to get there.

Furthermore, the prevailing thought has been that Soto could be interested in going to the Yankees. After all, he just put together an MVP-caliber season in New York, hitting 41 homers and driving in 109 runs. He helped the Yankees advance all the way to the World Series, where they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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