Apr 2, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Juan Soto (22) bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Joe Camporeale
The Phillies will indeed meet with free agent Juan Soto, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
This follows a report from MLB.com's Mark Feinsand Monday evening that listed the Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays and San Francisco Giants as clubs who "could meet with Soto." That's in addition to the teams that have reportedly met with the five-time Silver Slugger Award winner, the latest of which was the incumbent New York Yankees Monday. The Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays have already met with Soto, and Feinsand reported that the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers also plan to meet with Soto this week.
It's not yet clear when the Phillies will meet with Soto and his agent, Scott Boras.
Based off of comments by manager partner John Middleton earlier this month, meeting with Soto appears to be due diligence more than anything.
"I'm afraid Juan Soto wants to be in New York, and I don't mind being a stalking horse, " Middleton said, according to Conor Smith of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
"At some point, if Dave and I get that feeling, we'll probably say 'You know what, we're not going to win this' because we've both been the stalking horse before. And if I were an agent, I would do it too. It's perfectly good strategy. I mean, it's smart. But at the end of the day, I just think he likes New York."
Perhaps the Phillies will sense in this meeting that Soto is more interested in them than they may believe currently. It would be organizational malpractice not to meet with the 26-year-old, who is coming off of a season where he homered 41 times with 109 RBIs, 129 walks, a .989 OPS and an 8.1 WAR for the Yankees. But the Phillies appear to be clear-eyed on what direction this is likely headed.
Obviously, it would be better for the Phillies if Soto re-signs with the Yankees, as opposed to joining the division-rival Mets. Over on Bleacher Report, I projected that Soto will sign a 14-year/$658 million deal with the Yankees that allows him to opt out and return to free agency after the 2030 season. If nothing else, maybe the Phillies meeting with Soto will push that price up even further.
Lucky isn't the right word. But Juan Soto's free agency shows how fortunate the Phillies were with Bryce Harper.
Allow me to explain... @OnPattison https://t.co/23vv5Z4aOd
