Red Sox Fans Won’t Like MLB Insiders’ Juan Soto Survey

The Red Sox are among multiple teams chasing after Juan Soto’s services, but there’s a clear sentiment on where the All-Star signs.

Boston reportedly had a “productive” meeting with Soto last week as the superstar outfielder also met with the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets and New York Yankees. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies also reportedly scheduled meetings with the 26-year-old, so a decision won’t come soon.

However, when ESPN’s Jesse Rogers surveyed 18 MLB executives and insiders on Soto’s destination, 12 picked the Yankees, four picked the Mets and two picked the Blue Jays.

“More of our panel agreed on where Soto will sign than on how much money he’ll get,” Rogers wrote. “A common belief from our respondents was that the Yankees will match (or come close enough to matching) any number agent Scott Boras brings them to keep Soto in pinstripes. The message we heard from our insiders was clear: The Yankees don’t let stars walk. That happens to other teams.”

There also is a strong belief in the market that Mets owner Steve Cohen would meet any of Soto’s financial demands. So Boston will face stiff competition when it comes to that department.

Red Sox fans might be baffled at the idea that Toronto was seen as a more likely Soto spot than Boston. The Blue Jays also have to figure out what to do with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a star slugger who ideally Soto would pair with.

That’s what the sentiment in the market was this week, but it could change if the star free agent holds a second round of meetings.