Phillies Enter the Juan Soto Sweepstakes, Set to Meet with Free Agent Slugger
Juan Soto’s free agency tour continues, with the star outfielder having already met with the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, and Blue Jays. Another meeting is scheduled later today with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and now, a new major-market contender has emerged: the Philadelphia Phillies. According to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, the Phillies plan to sit down with Soto’s camp, though no official meeting has been confirmed yet.
It’s no surprise that the Phillies are engaging with one of the offseason’s top free agents. Under the leadership of president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, ownership has demonstrated a willingness to pursue high-profile talent, with Bryce Harper and Trea Turner among the recent superstar acquisitions. Given their history, it’s likely that Harper and Turner have already reached out to their former Nationals teammate about the possibility of reuniting in Philadelphia.
Earlier this month, Phillies chairman John Middleton acknowledged that the team would be involved in the Soto sweepstakes, though he was candid about the competitive landscape. Middleton expressed his belief that Soto likely prefers New York, adding that the Phillies would be content to serve as a “stalking horse” if the bidding escalated too far. He noted that the team would walk away if they sensed they were outmatched financially.
While the Phillies may not be pursuing Soto as aggressively as other teams, meeting with him and agent Scott Boras doesn’t hurt. Should other suitors fall short of Soto’s asking price, Philadelphia could position itself as a viable fallback option. The Phillies are a consistent playoff contender with an established roster, factors that would likely appeal to Soto.
Signing Soto would push the Phillies’ payroll well beyond its current $269 million figure, entering into luxury tax territory. The team is already facing significant penalties for previous tax overages, meaning any move to acquire Soto would come at a considerably higher cost. However, Middleton may be open to a one-year splurge, especially since key players like Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto are set to hit free agency next winter, potentially clearing payroll space for future moves.
The Phillies’ ideal offseason strategy could involve freeing up money by trading either Nick Castellanos or Taijuan Walker, although both players’ trade value is currently limited. If Soto were signed and Castellanos remained, the two would likely split time in the corner outfield positions, with Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas forming a center field platoon. While this arrangement may not be optimal defensively, the Phillies would likely prioritize Soto’s powerful bat in the lineup over potential defensive sacrifices.