"Don’t think Juan Soto is going to Yankees" - MLB insider believes Yankees' $550m ceiling could fall short as Red Sox set to land slugger for $600m

Bringing Juan Soto back has been the top priority for the New York Yankees this offseason. However, Randy Miller of NJ.com feels the left-handed slugger will not return to the Yankees because they are not going to offer more than $550 million for him. He believes their archrivals, the Boston Red Sox, are better placed to sign the free agent with an offer of around $600 million.

Juan Soto had an outstanding 2024 campaign with the New York Yankees after joining the team from the San Diego Padres on a one-year, $31 million deal prior to reaching free agency. The 26-year-old helped the Yankees secure the American League East division title before playing a leading role in the postseason as they claimed their first pennant in 15 years on their road to the World Series.

Danny Abriano of SNYtv posted a tweet regarding the comments Randy Miller made during an appearance on WFAN on Friday.

"I'm hearing the Yankees will probably top out in the $550 (million) range," Miller reportedly said. "I believe Soto has two and maybe three offers already over $600 (million). I haven't confirmed that, but that's what I believe.

“I’m hearing the Yankees fear the Red Sox more than anyone,” he added. “I think the Mets are definitely in play, and the Red Sox are in play. And I don’t think he’s going to the Yankees.”

Soto did no harm to his market value after finishing in third position in the AL MVP voting last month. At the moment, there are allegedly at least five teams battling to acquire the marquee free agent, including the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Juan Soto could even receive $700 million offer

Juan Soto is projected to receive the lrgest-ever contract offered to a position player in the MLB (Photo Credit: Imagn)

Juan Soto was expected to receive a massive deal even before the 2024 campaign had started. He had already rejected a 13-year, $350 million extension from the Washington Nationals in 2021 after finishing as the runner-up for the National League MVP. He was traded to the San Diego Padres in the middle of the 2022 campaign before joining the New York Yankees at the start of this season.

Soto batted .288/.419/.569 for the Yankees during the regular season, with 109 RBIs and a career-high 41 home runs. He outshined AL MVP Aaron Judge in the postseason, going 16-49 with seven extra-base hits, which included four home runs, nine RBIs, 14 walks and 12 runs scored.

Therefore, Juan Soto made the most of his walk year after a sparkling year with the Yankees, which may well earn him a long-term deal around the $700 million mark.