Where MLB Insider counts the Red Sox among the suitors for Juan Soto

The Boston Red Sox still have a lot of work to do in the offseason. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow missed the postseason for the third consecutive season and still has a lot of work to do this winter to get the franchise back into the future.

Boston got off to an early start after reportedly cutting ties with six members of last season's coaching staff, but that's just the beginning. The trade market and free agency offer plenty of creative opportunities for the club to invest and revamp its roster, which led baseball in blown saves last season after the MLB All-Star break and had an American League-leading 115 errors were leaders, came second. But despite the need for offensive support, the Red Sox are not considered favorites to sign four-time All-Star Juan Soto.

“The (New York) Yankees are the favorite for Soto,” Jon Heyman of the New York Post said, according to Bleacher Report. “Generally he enjoyed his time, it worked out well. I think the Yankees are the favorites. The (New York) Mets are the second choice. They have the most money, they're obviously a hot team. I could see him walking there. I would say these are the two favorites, with the Yankees clearly ahead followed by the Mets. And after that, I would say Toronto (Blue Jays) and the (San Francisco) Giants, who tried to trade for Soto. (Los Angeles) Dodgers, you can never count them out. I would say them next. And the next group I would put is the Red Sox, the (Chicago) Cubs and the (Philadelphia) Phillies. I mean, at this point I would call them all excessive.”

Soto, who the Yankees acquired in a seven-player trade with the San Diego Padres last December, is poised to make a big splash this offseason. The 25-year-old earned $31 million in his debut in the Big Apple, hitting a career-best 41 homers – the fourth-most in baseball – with 109 RBIs in 157 appearances. Aaron Judge ($40 million per year), Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels ($35 million), Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers ($26 million) and Cody Bellinger of the Chicago Cubs ($26 million US dollars) are among the highest paid outfielders today. Presumably, Soto will be joining this crew shortly, regardless of whether a deal is struck in New York or not.

The Red Sox aren't sure if they'll welcome back Tyler O'Neill, who also becomes a free agent and just leads Boston in home runs (31) in 2024. Therefore, entertaining Soto makes sense, especially considering adding a lefty. For pitchers – like Gerrit Cole – having a power hitter team up with Rafael Devers would be an all-time nightmare. Soto is also a reliable defensive outfielder, has plenty of experience against AL East contenders and could make New York's blood boil if he joins the Red Sox.

Ultimately, however, it comes down to price.