The Boston Red Sox’s pursuit of Juan Soto has drawn some mixed reactions, particularly in light of their reported final offer. Although the Red Sox bid $700 million over 15 years, which seemed significant on the surface, it fell short of the Yankees’ $760 million offer and the Mets’ eventual $765 million deal for Soto. This has sparked criticism of the Red Sox’s approach, with some viewing the offer as a “John Henry special”—just enough to say they tried, but not close enough to truly compete for the superstar.
For fans hoping the Red Sox would make a big splash in free agency, the failed Soto bid represents another disappointment. However, there’s still hope they can make impactful moves elsewhere. Teoscar Hernández remains a possible target, offering an opportunity for the team to improve their lineup without breaking the bank. Additionally, pitcher Max Fried is still available, and the Red Sox will need to contend with the Yankees for his services, with a failure to land him potentially signaling a major missed opportunity.
Source: Red Sox last/best on Soto was around $700 million for 15 years.
— Sean McAdam (@Sean_McAdam) December 9, 2024
Despite the high-profile pursuits, the trend suggests the Red Sox will likely focus on smaller deals, continuing their pattern of making moves without fully committing to a game-changing signing.
