Juan Soto free agency buzz: Dodgers likely not a serious threat

Here is the latest news and buzz surrounding Juan Soto‘s free agency…

Nov. 12, 9:40 a.m.

While the Dodgers are interested in Soto, it seems unlikely they’ll be serious players for his services.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the Dodgers “won’t chase after Soto,” adding that they would “gladly consider him” if his market softens.

Soto’s market softening is highly unlikely, with the 26-year-old being heavily pursued by most of the biggest-spending clubs in the sport.

The Dodgers have the wherewithal to sign any player, but their long-term salary obligations (to Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and others) and current needs (starting pitching) make them a dubious fit for Soto.

It has also been reported that Soto has a strong preference for the East Coast, which could bode well for the Mets, Yankees, and Red Sox.

Per Passan, the above three teams and the Blue Jays have meetings set up with Soto this week.

Passan notes that Soto could sign before the Winter Meetings begin on Dec. 9.

Nov. 6, 10:40 p.m.

The Juan Soto sweepstakes continues and the teams vying for his services are reportedly becoming more clear.

According to Jon Heyman of The Post, the Tampa Bay Rays are among seven known teams that have checked on Soto. The 80-82 club joins the Yankees, Mets, Giants, Blue Jays, Dodgers and Red Sox looking to bring the outfielder in.

There are at least four other mystery teams that reached out to Soto’s camp, bringing the total number to 11.

SNY’s Andy Martino reported Wednesday that there’s a sense Soto “enjoyed the Yankee experience and will return if the team presents what he considers a fair offer.” What that number is, is still unknown.

As for the Mets, Martino says he has the “impression that the Mets are willing to be very aggressive financially” in their attempts to acquire Soto.

Oct. 31, 9:23 p.m.

Although MLB free agency is still days away, teams have already begun courting Soto just hours after the Yankees’ season ended in Game 5 of the World Series.

Up to 11 teams have checked in on the star outfielder, and the number that may get a contract done with him is $700 million, Jon Heyman of the NY Post reports. Teams cannot discuss money until five days after the end of the World Series.

One of those reported 11 teams is seemingly the Mets.

The Mets are interested in acquiring Soto in free agency, according to The Post’s Mike Puma. It doesn’t come as any surprise, as a lot of money from contracts to Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander comes off the books this offseason.

“We’ve got financial flexibility,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said at Citi Field on Wednesday during his end-of-season news conference. “It means that pretty much the entirety of the player universe is potentially accessible to us. That’s an enormous opportunity. I envision us taking advantage of that opportunity, and being aggressive in certain spaces.”

Soto said after Game 5 that he desires to go to a winning team, but won’t close the door on any organization and that “every team has the same opportunity.”