Latest Juan Soto power rankings based on what we know so far

Juan Soto free agency talk will dominate the winter meetings. Of course, that’s assuming he’s even a free agent when meetings begin next Monday in Dallas, Texas.

There’s a chance Soto signs before the Winter Meetings. There’s a chance he’ll be signed by the end of the winter meetings. And if that actually happens, all hell is likely to break loose in a free agent market that also includes Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Willy Adames, Nathan Eovaldi, Sean Manaea and numerous others.

Here, in my opinion, is the ranking of the Soto contenders, measured from most likely to least likely.

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The Mets are the team I have long considered the favorite to land Soto. In Steve Cohen, they have the owner who has the deepest pockets in baseball and the ability to outbid anyone. They have a strong foundation in President of Baseball Operations David Stearns and Manager Carlos Mendoza, who promise to keep the Mets in contention for years to come.

It’s unclear whether Soto’s move to Queens will bear fruit, but the Mets – and Cohen – are offering the superstar outfielder everything he wants. And that should put them in the best position to land Soto.

But if there’s a team that can stop Soto from going to Queens, look no further than the team from the Bronx.

The Yankees acquired Soto in a trade last offseason, and he delivered everything he could have wanted and more: He hit .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs and 109 RBI. The Yankees love Soto. Soto loved the Yankees and the Bronx. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is motivated to sign Soto long-term.

My guess is that the Soto sweepstakes comes down to the two New York teams, each of which has a legitimate shot at signing the 26-year-old outfielder.

Let me say this: I’m skeptical that the Red Sox have the financial wherewithal to outbid Steve Cohen and Hal Steinbrenner.

But there’s enough buzz about how the Red Sox will spend this offseason that I won’t exclude them from the Soto sweepstakes. If they miss out on Soto, look for the Red Sox to accelerate talks on the free agent and trade market for starting pitching. You could also look at alternative options like Willy Adames among others.

The possibilities are endless for the Red Sox, who should have a much-improved roster next season.

Once again, I’m skeptical about the Blue Jays’ chances for Soto. I believe they can offer a competitive offer. But I don’t think the Jays have the roster that would entice Soto to sign in Canada.

Since Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are only under contract until 2025, there is no guarantee that either player will stay in Toronto for more than another season. The Blue Jays’ roster already has a lot of holes and signing Soto wouldn’t get them anywhere near the playoffs.

I’m not saying it’s impossible. I just don’t think it’s very likely.

I could look really stupid in a week for underestimating the Dodgers, which is always a dangerous game when it comes to high-profile free agents.

But they have to have a limit, right? Soto will be signing one of the largest contracts in baseball history, and after an offseason in which the Dodgers spent $1.4 billion, that almost seems like too much, even from the Dodgers’ perspective.

I think the Dodgers would like to sign Soto. But I suspect he’s going somewhere else, most likely to one of the teams in New York.