Report: SF Giants ‘legit’ players for Juan Soto
Nov 12, 2024, 7:54 AM
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
As the MLB hot stove starts to heat up, rumors about free agent superstar Juan Soto are beginning to swirl.
Soto, an MVP finalist following a World Series appearance with the New York Yankees, is entering free agency at just 26 years old, with many around baseball expecting the right fielder to sign a new contract in the range of $600-650 million.
While the New York Yankees and New York Mets are expected to be the finalists for the four-time All-Star, other teams will be lining up to meet with Soto and super-agent Scott Boras in Southern California this week.
According to The New York Post‘s Jon Heyman, the San Francisco Giants are among teams planning to meet with Soto, joining the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Word Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, and two mystery teams.
The Giants, who have tried hard to land superstars via free agency and trade (Bryce Harper, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge to name a few), and Red Sox, who’ve slipped in the standings after recently sitting out big free agency, are also seen as legit Soto players.
The exact dates for visits are a closely guarded secret, but the Yankees are believed scheduled for next Monday.
About MLB free agent Juan Soto
Although he’s only 26 years old, Juan Soto is already on his way to becoming on of the greatest hitters that the game of baseball has ever seen.
Soto had a career year in 2024 with the Yankees, hitting a career-high 41 home runs, driving in 109 runs, walking 129 times (second-most in MLB, only trailing teammate Aaron Judge’s 133), and batting .288 with an OPS of .989.
The Dominican Republic product led all of baseball with 128 runs scored, a feat that was made possible by his impressive .419 on base percentage.
Through seven big-league seasons with the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, and Yankees, Soto has hit 201 home runs, walked 769 times (against 696 strikeouts), and collected 934 hits.
The 2019 World Series champion will be in the market for a lucrative deal this winter–one that ESPN’s Jeff Passan believes could even be completed before the Winter Meetings begin on December 9th.
Many believe that Soto will opt to play in New York–whether that be for the Yankees or Mets–but the Giants should look to put its best foot forward to begin free agency.
Making a competitive offer for Soto shouldn’t even be a question for San Francisco, especially after missing the postseason in seven of the past eight seasons (three straight entering 2025).
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According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the the Giants “are focused on signing” free agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim, a player who they have been quite familiar with over the years.
Kim, 29, has spent the past four years with the San Diego Padres, where he has spent time at shortstop (307 games), second base (127 games), and third base (79 games).
Per Feinsand’s report, San Francisco is the team currently showing the most interest in Kim, with the Milwaukee Brewers and others also looking to sign the 2023 Gold Glove Award winner.
Upcoming San Francisco Giants Offseason Dates
- MLB free agency begins the day after the final World Series game
- Players can sign contracts with new teams five days after the final World Series game
- December 8-11th – MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX
- February TBD – Pitchers & catchers report for Spring Training
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