The Royals have reached out to Juan Soto this offseason, writes Jon Heyman of the New York Post. It doesn’t appear talks got far, as Heyman unsurprisingly adds that Soto’s asking price is out of Kansas City’s comfort zone.
At the start of the offseason, Heyman reported that a pair of small-market teams were among 11 clubs to reach out to Soto. The Rays were quickly reported as one of those suitors, and it seems the Royals were the other. In any case, there’s nothing to suggest either Tampa Bay or Kansas City has shown more than cursory interest. The teams known to have met with Soto — the Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox and Dodgers — are all big-market franchises. The Phillies hadn’t scheduled a meeting with Soto as of Tuesday, though they’re also expected to sit down with the star outfielder and agent Scott Boras at some point.
The Royals were surprisingly active spenders last winter. Kansas City committed upwards of $110MM in free agency, headlined by deals for Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. Those contracts worked out incredibly well. Lugo finished second in AL Cy Young balloting. Wacha continued to post quality mid-rotation numbers. He opted out of the second season of his first K.C. contract before returning to the organization on a three-year, $51MM deal.
Kansas City’s biggest investment came on the eve of Spring Training, as they extended franchise shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. on an 11-year deal that guaranteed him nearly $289MM. Witt turned in an MVP runner-up showing as Kansas City surprisingly snapped a nine-year playoff drought.
Witt’s contract is easily the biggest deal in franchise history. Soto’s asking price is surely more than double that. While they’re not going to get the market’s top free agent, the Royals could be involved on anyone else in the outfield class. Anthony Santander, Teoscar Hernández, Tyler O’Neill and Jurickson Profar are candidates for three- or four-year contracts. It’d be a surprise if anyone from that group reached nine figures, though Santander has an outside chance. K.C.’s corner outfield tandem of MJ Melendez and Hunter Renfroe is very weak for a contender, making that an obvious area for the front office to upgrade.
Truly is silly season
I just placed a $1 bet on PolyMarket that the Royals will sign Soto. It will pay over one million.
Probably not.. It’s a crypto only betting market and US citizens can’t bet.
Heyman’s oath to Boras seems stronger than many marriages.
RobM: Soon to be millionaire, if Soto lands in KC, could we discuss a low interest rate loan with flexible options ???
Samuel, I would rather play Rotisserie Baseball thanks though.
I would buy you a Royals Juan Soto jersey if he signs with KC.
And the rich get richer….
Every offseason.
The way I got this figured, writing for baseball is a seasonal business. Most writers working for publications are paid by clicks. Spring Training lasts almost 2 months, the regular season 6 months, and the playoffs a month. During that time fans can read about what’s going on in ST and then watch the games. So that leaves 3 months for the Heyman’s, Sherman’s and the like to (as MLBTR writers like to say): “Get Paid”.
The best part I like is after the major signings we find out that most of the blow-by-blow scenarios we were reading about during player negotiations weren’t remotely true.
Say what we will, it is entertaining in a National Enquirer / Entertainment Tonight-type way.
There is a better chance that the Saudis are starting a new eight team baseball league and Jared Kushner will be the Commissioner. Soto is offered one billion to sign a 20 year deal of 15 years playing and a 5 year personal services contract.
@MLB We already know 20 yrs is not happening. Nor is any deal going past age 40 as MLB will not allow it.
We all know it is highly unlikely Soto ends up I’m KC or TB. But they would be foolish to not even inquire.
KC however already locked Witt in for $289M over the next 11 years. TB had Wander locked up for roughly a decade at if I remember correctly $182M. The Rays also offered Freeman $150M not much under what LAD ultimately signed him for. So we know that these teams are healthier financially then most have been led to believe.
These teams are bringing in tons of $ from merchandise, sponsorships, deals with online casinos, media deals, etc. For the most part only snippets of these financial figures are reported publicly and usually only those legally required for various reasons depending on ownership structure or other reasons.
All the while the value of these franchise are soaring and almost certainly every owner(s) have leverage against that equity to profit their as well. Which also generates tax free capital since it dies not qualify as income. Yet many regularly cry poor as most of us fans pay little mind as some of these teams crying poor are inking or offering players 9 figure deals.
All the while few fingers are being pointed and the few that are primarily point elsewhere be it at agents who are merely doing their jobs of seeking mlbest deal possible and promoting their clients. We also see fingers pointed into cloudy unclear directions such as disparity. Yet we don’t know the true finacials details lurking back in that cloudiness. Seems though that even small market teams are much healthier financially than we re led to believe and quite possibly it could be far more than we’d ever imagine.
Tigers – excellent points
Tiger, Royals and Rays signed Witt and Franco to contracts that hold value for potential trades. Those are incomparable to free agent signings
Players signed as free agents can’t are never traded for anything of value??? We already know the answer is yes. It also seems as though multiple teams(some seemingly probable than others) are showing interest in Soto. Hypothetically if KC were to sign him it would be safe to assume some if not all of those teams could quite possible be interested in acquiring via trade a few deadlines from now.
The main point was these teams have been portrayed as being unable to spend much and labeled “small market”. Yet they re out spending almost $300M and 200M on players. Rays also offered $150M to Freeman, which was close to the I believe $162M he received.
Not sure who I compared either team to as I did not mention any other teams. But ok….
Tigers
You did not read my mock post carefully, I did not have Soto going to MLB.
Sorry was just scanning comments and back end of yours caught my eye.
Thankfully they don’t like baseball in that region. Otherwise that wouldn’t be so much of a mock post.
Tigers
If the money is not deferred, I don’t think Soto is even worth more than $500 million. I think he will be a DH by year seven of the contract, maybe sooner. Soto is not a good athlete, he is a professional hitter with lots of power. A better and more powerful version of Joey Votto. I think Ohtani and Tatis will age much better as all-around players.
I’m with you on that. That’s alot of $ for a guy who although elite at his strengths has some clear blemishes.
I’d he gets any deferred money in his contract it’s going to be higher. He’s likely going to get $400-500M value in today’s dollars. All deferred money being funded annually we can easily account for present value.
I could sew him taking some deferred $. Although it’s a slight loss to players overall assuming they invest the $ as collected if not deferred. It’s a good hedge for them to mitigate risk against other investments and gives them piece of mind.
I do think he’s a great fit for Yankees. Perfect situation to provide Rs to lineup and can slide into DH roll post Stanton. If TOR extends Bichettee and Vlad or plan to, that could be an interesting fit as well.
@mlb 100
Will there be player betting allowed in this liv baseball league? I’m asking for a friend
Brodie
It will be mandatory
@ mlb 100
Very nice can’t wait for the inaugural season of liv baseball
(Sad thing is even though I’m being facetious I can see something like “liv baseball” becoming a thing)
Me, too. Live betting on every at-bat. Only stars. Hope it never happens.
Nah, these writers are just silly. They’ll say anything for news
Sounds like they are just reporting on rumors. Who would have guessed?
luc – I for one appreciate all the content being pumped out by the staff here.
But yeah, I can see why some people view it as silly to report a team asked what Soto’s price would be and then immediately said they can’t afford him.
I mean there’s “interest” and there’s “let’s ask for S&G”.
Call it silly all you want but the Royals finally have an owner who wants to win. If they still had the same mind set the front office had 20 years ago they would be listening to trade offers for Bobby Witt Jr. Sure there is a 0% chance of him signing in KC but they are reaching out.
seth – Building a new stadium with an entertainment district surrounding it surely helps, the revenue should increase significantly.
But no parking right at the stadium I prefer Kaufman to walking in downtown Kansas City late at night
I showed interest in Jennifer Aniston. No articles written about me.
“Ok Juan, hear us out. 13 years $100 million and box seats next to Taylor Swift.
… we will need to defer 90 million of that contract, however”
Who wouldn’t want to join a winner
Did I wander onto the Babylon Bee?
Athletics have shown interest in Juan Soto.
Lol the rockies have entered the chat.
The As have the same chance as the Royals.
The Royals have a better chance.
Pirates also.
Cherington and Shelton just wanted to get his autograph.
The Babylon Bee would probably say Juan Soto has quit baseball to become a monk.
I seriously wonder what possible benefit is derived from Heyman publishing absurd pieces noting that a team which will clearly never sign Soto allegedly checking in on him?
why not, it’s news and entertaining
You are commenting on it. He won..
189 comments and counting
Scott Boras asked him to write the story.
Probably showing that the Royals aren’t only looking at the bottom of the barrel for players while showing interest in long term winning.
Tell me that when they settle for PROFAR.
Shows the fan base hey we are a player. Just like the Yankees. Soto is not returning to the rotten apple.
@A NYer I highly doubt they ll sign him as well. This team did however sign Witt for $289M which I’d have never expected from them.
My dog also has shown interest in Juan Soto!
Your dog has fleas. Come to think of it so does mine, Gotta call the vet. I’m sure Soto is gonna love the promotional revenue. Just think of it. Billy Bobs Used Cars, George Brett’s Pine Tar, KC Barbecue Sauce, The GOP Strip Club, Billy Rays Used Cars, It could mean hundreds in extra revenue. Maybe, Just think Maybe a Thousand Bucks total! Who needs NY or LA. KC is where the first thing people think of is Big Money. Come on Down Bubba!
Uncle Mike did you just insinuate that George Brett is a cheater? Also known to frequent strip clubs (but that was considered bonding time with your mates back then.)
I didn’t say it. The tape measure did. LOL
Ignorant – Well like Bonds, it’s true Brett also used “the cream”.
Oh wait a minute …. George’s was hemorrhoid cream, not steroid cream …. never mind.
The highest paid player in the NFL just happens to play in KC.
We are talking about baseball .
My dog heard soto has her favorite cheesy treats and now she’s obsessed.
Probably. Could you imagine the life he would be living!
What you’re not saying is that you named your dog after Juan Soto.
KC should be spending big right now, with Witt playing amazing ball. When you have a player like that, you’ve got to go all-in during these next 5 years of team control.
I don’t think any team will go wrong financially with Soto, even on a $700m deal. I think he’s one of the best FA bets in the history of the game on a mega deal.
Thanks for the laugh.
5 years? Have you been incarcerated?
The Royals spending big on Witt and Soto is like the Angels spending big on Trout and Pujols. It leaves no room to address the other needs.
Soon all 30 teams will reach out
There’s less than 5 teams seriously considering Juan Soto.
I know one team who won’t. The Cubs. They’re trying to unload Bellinger right now if you believe the stupid rumors. Wouldn’t make sense to trade him and sign Soto.
UncleMike, I saw a trade posited by one of the YouTube guys that got me thinking…. What would you say to a Stroman-for-Bellinger trade?
I mean, it can suit both team’s needs and Yankees can (although they probably wouldn’t) take Cody’s salary.
I’d say we got rid of Stroman for a reason. We don’t want him back. Especially if the Cubs have to eat salary. I don’t think they’ll deal him if they have to do that. They might as well keep him at that point. Why bother? Surely not for a weak return like Stroman.
i was surprised Yankees even signed him in 1st place he’s not even considered good enough to make a post season roster.
@unclemike. Was seeing the angels might be interested. They could do a three team trade involving ward, and give the prospects coming back to the cubs.
Who among the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays & Red Sox aren’t seriously considering it?
It’s between the Mets and Yankees. There are no other suitors serious enough to embark on the Soto journey.
If the Cubs eat any salary it won’t be much. They would trade him for weak prospect return if they unload the whole salary. Depending on how much they were willing to eat they would want better prospects back. Why would they want Stroman? I don’t think anybody wants Stroman. Cubs have a bunch of good young pitching. They don’t need to shop at the top of the FA Pitching pool. A guy like Buehler, Fedde, or somebody like that would do just fine.If they go all in it might be a prospect haul for Crochet. I’d actually like to see that. Crochet could always slot back to relieving if an injury pops up. Buehler too. More useful P’s. Cubs have the prospects to get Crochet.
lol Yankee Clipper I love your confidence ignoring Boston as a serious suitor, ignoring that they’ve signed more record contracts (at the time signed) in the last 25 years than either New York team.
Can’t wait to see you explode when Boston goes into spring with Soto & Vladdy JR in the lineup along with Fried and/or Snell, and Crochet in the rotation
HighonPineTar: I wasn’t slighting Boston, nor was I commenting emotionally. I just don’t believe Boston will be willing to go as high as either NY team, especially given their relative spending over the past several years.
Moreover, Soto isn’t as valuable to Boston as he is to NY’s FO, just like Mookie would’ve never been as valuable to sign for NY as he was for Boston or LAD.
I think you mistook the intent behind my comment, but I’m perfectly willing to admit I was wrong if Boston signs him.
Mr. HIGH….A little over sensitive aren’t you…and that very ambitious plan to acquire all the other players you mention probably won’t happen either.
He is high on pine tar, so it’s understandable.
I don’t agree with the Clipper’s complete dismissal of other clubs. The Jays have an entire country to sell to. Nobody else offers that!
But I’d bet on Cohen’s money
I wasn’t trying to be dismissive at all, honestly. To clarify, I believe any of those clubs *could* sign Juan Soto, but I don’t believe they are committed to signing him at the same costs as the Yankees and Mets, if that makes sense.
To put it into tier rankings, I’d say Mets/Yankees are first tier; Boston, Jays, SFG second tier.
Nah the Mariners would not even answer the phone if Soto called them and said he wanted to come.
You’re probably right but you never know. They might be cheap but stranger things have happened
There was definitely a time when top talent would actually take less money to play in KC.
Two big factors were the cost of living and owner Mr Kauffman wanted to compete.
Although it didn’t work out the Royals were and to my knowledge the only team in history to have both the American League and National League Cy Young Award winners from the previous season at the same time.
The Royals are destroying baseball.
Right? This has gone too far; they need to be capped!
They need to be stuffed in a burlap sack and thrown into the river.
This joke doesn’t work coming from a Dodgers fan
irony can be funny too
Strange, but true.
the truth is usually somewhere in between funny and serious
Wouldn’t that just be the ultimate?
Royals have a pretty good chance of landing Livan Soto. Maybe even Gregory Soto. Juan Soto? No chance whatsoever…
Pirates need to call and tell a reporter they did. No sense of humor from those losers.
Heyman could report the call didn’t get very far as Boras has their number blocked.
Lincoln Saltdogs have shown interest in Juan Soto.
FM Redhawks too!
Kansas City monarchs have shown interest in Juan Soto. yes they actually do have a team called the Kansas City monarchs. It’s in the same semi professional league as the Lincoln salt dogs actually (which is a real team. I Know because I’m from that state..)
Witt, Jr., Soto, and Bregman as top 3 would be pretty dynamic.
Fantasy pipe dream. Maybe if Witt gets traded to NY and The Yankees pick up Soto and Bregman.
You know how you could do that? Play Mlb the show.
They could be offering to give him half the franchise if he plays there for minimum salary…
Not sure why this was even worth reporting. Even if KC could match his asking price… why would Soto want to go to KC? They don’t have enough money for him to make that choice.
Well, he can have free barbecue every day and he can go to the same barber as Patrick Mahomes.
I’m sure the $700mm the Royals would almost certainly offer is enticing, but all of the extra chores they would ask of him (throw at least 60 innings, play two outfield positions to help support understaffed team, working concessions between innings, staying after games to help clean up) to recoup the additional costs would not be.
And don’t forget going up into the radio booth and calling the ninth inning.
Signing Soto would be the mistake of their entire history
They wouldn’t have any money left to sign anyone else
And he is not the leader that a team needs
Does this really need an article? Everyone knows the Royals would never spend the amount of money that it would take to get Soto. Essensially the same thing as me saying that I have interest in Cameron Diaz and Sydney Sweeney….
I didn’t even know who Sydney Sweeney was till you wrote her name even though after googling her i actually watched stuff she was in,
I knew who she was before this comment but I know someone she went to school with
Any publicity is good publicity right ? 100 comments. Other FA’s see the article and consider the royals
I really think the Red Sox have a very good chance of signing Soto. I think they go all in for him or they sign two free agent hitters. They are best suited to trade for Crochet.
Could you imagine Witt-Soto in the same lineup? The Royals get profs for signing Witt long term. That was a great investment.
This article says Jays are a big market team,Since when.If they are they’ve acted like a poverty team forever.
$20 million per year and all the free B.B.Q. he can eat wasn’t enough to get it done?
It was not only free barbecue at every bbq restaurant in kc, but it was free quarterly haircuts with Patrick Mahomes barber.
These articles about where Soto will sign are a total waste of time and useless.i just let all the offseason play out.i know why they post them since there’s enough people who find stupid rumours entertaining but there still as exiting to read as watching paint dry.
Hahahahahahahahahahajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajahahahahahaffgkotgbkiyfchhubwaaaaahahagahahahahajahajajajahahahahajahahahajajajhhagafthbjopmhteehm xgyfwhahagagahahahah
Heyman earning that Boras bonus money
How Heyman actually still has a job for so many years is beyond belief,Tells me lot of people are interested in reading garbage.
Consider who he works for – The New York Post. His job is to *only* generate clicks.
I can oddly see this happening
Next up: Orioles have shown interest in Juan Soto.
Everyone just calm down. It was Louis SOJO’s name that Heyman actually read on the Royals visitor sign in sheet.
Bobby Witt Jr reads this and realizes how underpaid he is.
Good luck with that.
Fake news
He’s only going to 1 of the following : Mets,Yanks,Dodgers or Red Sox he’s not going to the Blue Jays because of the taxes there and he’s not going to any team that doesn’t have a chance to make it to the playoffs/WS
“Have a chance to make it to the playoffs”
Rules out the Red Sox then…
Did you even watch this year’s playoffs?
Type of move you see in MLB The Show lol
Someone should really try this in Mlb the show and see what happens.
A royal fantasy, indeed.
Really dumb…..don’t care how good the steak or money offer is in KC, he ain’t playing in KC….
This is silly. Of course every time has shown “interest” in Soto. Every team would love to have him on their team except maybe the A’s… because he cost over $1 and that would break their budget…
Royals almost had Soto and Acuna as teenagers..they were their top choice but got outbid for both on the last minute
I’m surprised a team like the Rays or Royals haven’t offered a piece of ownership to a premier player to sign.
Ah, don’t think an active player can own a piece of any sports team….although this is MLB so who knows…lol
It could be after retirement
Very true.
We should probably avoid nearly every “____” shows interest in Soto” article because only a handful of teams can actually afford him, and the rest is puffery. As for Heyman–he’s just doing his job–looking for clicks, trading favorable coverage for access. The Boras Heyman connection serves each man. Soto is like an extremely expensive roadster. Everyone wants a test drive (except for the A’s and White Sox, of course) but only a very few can actually buy. I think better ink would be spent on the other FA
My mom is showing interest in Juan Soto. #BreakingNews
Good people of MLBTR: Please, please, though I’d rather you block him altogether, could you at least preface Jon Heyman quotes with some sort of disclaimer such as “widely known as a complete shill for Scott Boras…” Ha, he’s so totally predictable, it’s always “multiple suitors”, “mystery teams”, etc. The guy is a disgrace to sports journalism, and that’s a pretty low bar to clear.
A true ego maniac would prefer KC over LAD.
In KC, he can be the all-time hero.
In LA, he’s just another pretty fish in the bowl – not even top dog.
Headline might as well read “Madison Muskies have shown interest in Juan Soto.”Stories like this every year do nothing for the credibility of MLBTR, which has become nothing but an aggregator of clickbait.
“Clippers have interest in Juan Soto to fill void at PG”
Royals are interested in Soto just like every male in America is interested in Jessica Alba
Royals won’t sign him but damn a lineup of Witt and Soto would be something.
per heyman, i have interest in rihanna
Seriously !!!???? I’ve shown interest in Jennifer Aniston……I think I have a better chance !!! bahahahahahaha
Nah, you really don’t.
KC getting the participation trophy for headline generation.
Puhleese!
And in related news, I am interested in Cindy Crawford