Comprehensive update on the Dodgers’ offer, signing timeline

The Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t given up on signing the MLB’s No. 1 free agent on the market. Outfielder Juan Soto is drawing interest from a handful of MLB teams, including the Dodgers. According to Bleacher Report’s Jon Heyman, the franchise has reportedly made Soto an offer of at least $600 million.

However, four other teams are offering Soto contracts worth around 15 years and $700 million. The New York Yankees, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox are competing for the Dominican outfielder.

The high demand for Soto is no surprise, as the four-time All-Star made a compelling case for himself before becoming a free agent.

That season, he led the American League with 128 runs scored and ranked in the top three in the league in home runs (41), on-base percentage (.419), slugging percentage (.569) and OPS (.988). Soto performed even better in the postseason, slashing .327/.469/.633 and recording four home runs and nine RBIs to help the Yankees reach the World Series.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan expects Soto to make a decision in the near future. He even suggested Soto could sign before the start of the winter meetings, which begin Monday in Dallas. Passan expects Soto to sign a record-breaking contract, potentially surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million deal from last offseason.

The Dodgers aren’t completely out of the race yet. However, given other teams’ offers, it’s unlikely Soto will end up in Los Angeles.

The Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays and Red Sox are all poised to compete in a bidding war for Soto. Meanwhile, the Dodgers appear to be hesitant to join, as they’ve already inked a big deal with another free agent.

The Dodgers already signed two-time Cy Young pitcher Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million contract this offseason. Los Angeles is also in focus to sign Japanese-born pitcher Roki Sasaki for his rookie MLB season in 2025. Additionally, the franchise must make a decision about re-signing free agent outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who is seeking a multi-year deal.

Soto’s agent Scott Boras said the 26-year-old has met with all interested teams and is in the process of evaluating each offer. Los Angeles reportedly met with Soto, but many insiders believe the Dodgers will not acquire the five-time Silver Slugger.

If Soto wants to maximize his salary through a long-term contract, Los Angeles is not the way to go.