The start: Soto, Signings, Relief Market

As the baseball world prepares for the Winter Meetings, we’ll be keeping an eye on three things today:

1. Soto Commandments Reach New Heights:

The tender for Juan Soto has reportedly surpassed the $600 million mark, the price that MLBTR predicted the outfielder would land on our annual list of the Top 50 MLB Free Agents. The news confirms what has always been clear: Barring a surprise decision to accept massive deferments, Soto will receive the most lucrative contract in MLB history this winter – at least in terms of the deal’s net present value. The Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Dodgers are generally considered the top contenders, and there is no clear indication yet that any of them have dropped out of the bid. With Soto narrowing the field, could a deal be struck before the Winter Meetings begin in Dallas?

2. Official signatures:

A handful of reported signings have yet to be officially announced by their clubs: the two-year deal with the Mets Frankie Montasthe Cubs’ two-year contract Matthew Boydand the Red Sox’s one-year contract with Aroldis Chapman. It is possible that these contracts will be postponed while each club ensures that their new player undergoes a physical examination, as is standard practice before signing a contract. All three of these teams had available spots on their 40-man rosters at the time of the agreement, so corresponding moves will not be necessary. But when deals become official, additional details sometimes emerge, as was the case with the recent revelation Blake Snells contract with the Dodgers included a conditional option for a sixth year.

3. Movement in the aid market:

The aforementioned deal between the Red Sox and Chapman was the first significant signing of a reliever this winter. A handful of relievers have signed minor major league contracts this winter, but Chapman’s $10.75 million guarantee dwarfs that of the other early signees, led by the $2.25 million guarantee that Boston granted Justin Wilson last month. At this early point in the offseason, there are still plenty of quality options in the replacement market led by southpaws Tanner Scott. Rumors that other top aides like Jeff Hoffman And Clay Holmes have drawn interest as starters could thin out the top end of the relief market somewhat.

Chapman highlighted this winter’s class of one-year options from the left side out of the bullpen, although other veterans like that Tim Hill, Danny CoulombeAnd Andrew Chafin remain as solid options at the next tier down. Could signing Chapman spur more movement in the relief market, particularly among the other southpaws?