Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants linked to Juan Soto pursuit by MLB executives as they prepare for official signing
New polling of nearly 30 executives around MLB points to the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants being among the teams expected to make a serious run at Juan Soto in free agency this winter.
Heading into the MLB games today, the Rangers and Giants are in similar disappointing positions. There was a lot of hope around both teams entering this season, especially Texas after winning their first World Series last October. However, both are under .500 on the current MLB standings and building big deficits to make up in tough divisions.
There is still hope for the Rangers since Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom are expected to return to the rotation, however, the Giants could be sellers at the trade deadline. Whatever moves the organizations make before July 30, it will be to improve the roster this year and next. And it seems that many execs around the league believe both clubs will be among the teams looking to lure the top free agent on the market this offseason to their cities.
On Tuesday, ESPN MLB insider Kiley McDaniel got opinions from 28 executives on various topics related to New York Yankees star Juan Soto’s jump into free agency, including the likely cost. When asked about which teams will be vying for his services in the winter, the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants were mentioned “multiple times” by executives.
The Washington Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays were also named as potential contenders. However, McDaniel noted that the above teams were seen as secondary to the early favorites, the New York Yankees and New York Mets.
When it came to potential price, 14 executives put the range at $500-$599 million while three actually suggested it might take over $600 million to land the soon-to-be four-time All-Star and 2024 American League MVP candidate.
The Giants have made failed pursuits for some of the top free agents on the market the last few years, while the Rangers have made some big splashes in free agency in the lead-up to their 2023 title.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will get another crack at their former All-Star shortstop Thursday when they play the deciding game of a three-game series against the visiting Texas Rangers. On Wednesday, Corey Seager played at Dodger Stadium for the first time since he left the Dodgers after the 2021 season. His three-run home run off former teammate Walker Buehler was the difference in the Rangers’ 3-2 victory.
It was Seager’s 60th regular-season home run at Dodger Stadium and the only one that turned early-game cheers from Los Angeles fans into boos during his next at-bat after he went deep. “I guess it kind of comes with the territory so I get it,” said Seager, who had missed the previous four games with a left hamstring strain. “I don’t blame them, you know. I get it.” Five Rangers pitchers held the Dodgers in check, outside of Shohei Ohtani’s home run in the first inning and a ninth-inning rally that nearly tied the score.
