{"id":5142,"date":"2024-11-02T15:12:59","date_gmt":"2024-11-02T15:12:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotnews.azontree.com\/?p=5142"},"modified":"2024-11-02T15:12:59","modified_gmt":"2024-11-02T15:12:59","slug":"yankees-al-foe-deemed-true-dark-horse-to-win-juan-soto-free-agency-sweepstakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotnews.azontree.com\/?p=5142","title":{"rendered":"Yankees’ AL Foe Deemed ‘True Dark Horse’ to Win Juan Soto Free Agency Sweepstakes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An unexpected AL team could swoop in and sign Juan Soto from under the New York Yankees’ noses this winter.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Mar<\/picture><\/figure>\n
Mar 3, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Juan Soto (22) runs the bases after hittting a solo home run against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images \/ Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The consensus within the baseball community is that the two most likely franchises Juan Soto will sign with this offseason are both in the Big Apple: the\u00a0New York Yankees\u00a0and the New York Mets.<\/p>\n

While these two New York teams are the clear favorites in the Juan Soto Sweepstakes, that doesn’t mean other clubs are out of the race entirely.<\/p>\n

The New York Post’s Mika Puma revealed in an\u00a0October 31 article\u00a0that, “Roughly a dozen teams have checked in on Soto,” since the World Series ended, and many of these clubs will likely put an offer in for him at some point.<\/p>\n

In addition to the Yankees and Mets, the\u00a0Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and\u00a0Toronto Blue Jays\u00a0are also expected to heavily pursue Soto. But an\u00a0October 30 article\u00a0from Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter listed the Detroit Tigers as an underrated \u2014 but very legitimate \u2014 candidate to sign him this offseason.<\/p>\n

“If you’re looking for a true dark horse in the Juan Soto market, look no further than the Detroit Tigers,” Reuter wrote.<\/p>\n

“The Tigers have waded into the deep end of free agency in the past, signing Prince Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million deal once upon a time, while also shelling out nine figures on the ill-fated Jordan Zimmermann and Javier B\u00e1ez contracts.<\/p>\n

“They got hot at the right time to make an unexpected playoff push, but looking at the bigger picture the offense ranked 19th in the majors in runs scored, and finding a true offensive star to slot alongside up-and-comers like Riley Greene, Parker Meadows and Colt Keith would take a team on the rise to the next level,” Reuter continued.<\/p>\n

“Pitching is the strength of the Tigers roster, and while signing Tarik Skubal to an extension will also be an expensive priority, Soto could be that missing piece that pushes them over the top.”<\/p>\n

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