Juan Soto Signs with Yankees and 4 Other Winter Meetings Predictions
MLB free agency has been moving slowly leading up to the Winter Meetings, but momentum is building. According to a recent ESPN report, Juan Soto is expected to finalize a deal before the meetings begin. All eyes are on the generational outfielder, though there could be other significant developments in Dallas next week.
Why Juan Soto Will Re-Sign with the Yankees
Rumors suggest Soto’s next deal could set a new average annual value (AAV) record. When Aaron Judge signed his contract, it became the richest ever for a position player at $40 million per year. The Yankees have a history of going big for generational talents, and their trade for Soto signaled their intention to keep him long-term.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports that Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, will likely present any offer to the Yankees to match, much like Judge did in 2022. The Yankees’ hope was that Soto’s time in the Bronx would solidify his desire to stay—and so far, that seems to be the case.
Prediction 1: Boston Red Sox Make a Splash with Max Fried
After losing out on Soto, the Boston Red Sox are predicted to target an ace. Outfielders like Cody Bellinger and Anthony Santander aren’t a priority for them, but the team could sign Max Fried to a blockbuster deal at the Winter Meetings.
The Athletic projects Fried to land a six-year, $180 million contract. Boston hasn’t spent heavily in free agency recently, but with Rafael Devers and Jarren Duran leading a strong offense, their focus is on bolstering their pitching staff.
Prediction 2: Pete Alonso Joins the Mariners
Pete Alonso, the Mets’ star first baseman, could be on the move to Seattle. Alonso’s strong 2023 season has flown under the radar amid the Soto frenzy, but he’s a perfect fit for a Mariners team desperate to boost their offense.
Seattle, which suffered a historic collapse last summer and finished with the second-worst batting average in MLB, is projected to offer Alonso a five-year, $140 million deal. Adding his bat could be a game-changer for the team.
Prediction 3: Garrett Crochet is This Year’s Top Trade Chip
White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet is generating buzz as the biggest trade asset of the offseason. While Chicago opted not to move him at the trade deadline due to high demands, GM Chris Getz may now be ready to cash in on the left-handed ace.
The Baltimore Orioles, who could miss out on key free-agent pitchers, are a strong candidate to pursue Crochet at the Winter Meetings. Another major trade could be in the works.
As the Winter Meetings approach, the focus remains on Soto, but the ripple effects could bring significant changes across MLB.
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