Juan Soto Should be a L.A. Dodger
With the 2024 World Series in the rear view mirror people can now turn their attention to MLB Free Agency.
There are big names out there for free agents, but I am not so sure there is a bigger name than Juan Soto who played for the New York Yankees the past two seasons. Many different ideas are out there in terms of where Soto will land and Yankee fans, media tend to believe that he will end up back with New York.
I am not saying that he will or won’t end up back in the Yankee Pinstripes, but what if the Dodgers stepped up and made Juan Soto an offer he could not pass up?
Think about it. When have ratings been high in any professional sports league? Ratings go through the roof when there is a perceived “Super team” or dominant team out there.
I’ve always thought dynasties are good for sports.
When Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls teams were winning three-peat NBA Championships. Tom Brady and his New England Patriots were winning six Super Bowls. The Golden State Warriors when they had Curry, Thompson, Draymond, and Kevin Durant. In the NHL when the Edmonton Oilers won five Stanley Cups or when the Chicago Blackhawks won three Stanley Cups between 1997-2002. Dynasty teams bring eyeballs to the television sets around North America. It’s appointment tv.
The Dodgers have the makings of dynasty with the talent already on the team. Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, Max Muncy, and Clayton Kershaw are already there. Los Angeles wins their division every year, are in the hunt for a deep playoff run every year, the Dodgers lead Major League Baseball in home and away attendance yearly, and they play in arguably the best weather in baseball.
Who wouldn’t want to go play in that Southern California sunshine?
I would.
Now getting Soto there would be a bit of a challenge. There would be salary questions, how the contract would be structured, and the Dodgers would not want to go too high over the luxury tax penalty. Salaries totaled $266 million for active players on the Dodgers this past season by data provided by Sportrac.
The top three teams that are considered to have the best odds at landing Juan Soto according to DraftKings are:
- Yankees -225
- Mets +380
- L.A. Dodgers +650
Juan Soto’s talent is undeniable. Soto has hit 76 home runs over the past two seasons, amassed 218 rbi’s, a four-time All-Star, is near the top in runs scored, and has landed on the All-MLB First Team twice in his career. He’s played for the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, and the New York Yankees.
During the Yankees 2024 post-season run Soto hit four home runs, had nine runs batted in, and played in 14 playoff games.
He’s a valuable commodity in the baseball world for sure.
After the Yankees lost to the Dodgers in the World Series, Soto was asked during post game interviews what he thought about his upcoming free agency.
“I feel like every team has the same opportunities when I go into free agency. I don’t want to say anyone has an advantage because at the end of the day we’re gonna look at what they have & how much they want me.” Soto told the media.
Sounds like he wants to give every MLB team a chance. Now, in realistic terms, he won’t do that. Soto is going to go where he’s going to get the best money, the best chance to win, and the best fit for him.
Why not the Dodgers?
People will say “the rich get richer” if Soto goes to L.A. However, we all know the Dodgers are not afraid of spending money. You have to spend money to make money right? There are certain advantages of being a big market team and being able to throw the company checkbook at a player is one of them.
The Dodgers have a team assembled right now that is very hard to hate. Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Ohtani are three of the nicest MLB players out there at the moment. You slide Juan Soto into that mix and I would think that the transition for Soto would be seamless.
The Dodgers are already a star laden team. If Soto is added to an already All-Star caliber line-up the demand to see this team would skyrocket. The Dodgers are in a town were there are plenty of stars, celebrities already. Why not one more?
If the Dodgers were to lure Juan Soto to Los Angeles it would certainly throw salt on the wound of a team they just beat to win the World Series and the organization that they are rivals too.
Soto is going to ask in the neighborhood of $600-700 million dollars for the life of the contract. He’s only in his mid-20’s. Juan Soto also has the swag about him. He has the “Soto stare down” when he is up to bat.
The attitude he has would fit with the Dodger fans for sure. Los Angeles Dodger fans would gravitate to him in droves.
The L.A. Dodgers organization have to ask themselves one question: Imagine if this goes right?
Think on that for a minute Dodger fans. Imagine Juan Soto at Dodger Stadium.
Michael J. Wilson-The Daily Waiver