Juan Soto has thrived in his first season in the AL East in 2024, so naturally, the New York Yankees aren’t the only team in the division attempting to land the superstar slugger.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York PostThe owners of the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox each made “impressive in-person presentations” to Soto this week. There are still plenty of meetings to be had, but the fact that Toronto’s front office has gotten into a room with Soto is a notable first step.

The New York Yankees are scheduled to meet with Soto on Monday. The New York Mets are also on his upcoming schedule.

Soto, who is the hottest free agent on the open market, could end up landing one of the biggest contracts in MLB history this winter. MLB Trade Rumors planned to land a contract worth $600 million over 13 years, while Spotrac it lost $514 million over 14 years.

As gaudy as those numbers may seem, they could prove to be fair market value for the 26-year-old Soto.

The four-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger is hitting .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBI, 128 runs, 129 walks, a .989 OPS and a 7.9 WAR in 2024. This stat line has him earning a spot on the All-MLB First Team, as well as a top-three finish in AL MVP voting.

Between his time with the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres and Yankees, Soto is a .285 hitter with a career OPS of .953. For 162 games, he averaged 35 home runs, 102 RBIs, 113 runs, 10 stolen bases and a 6.3 WAR.

If the Blue Jays can add that production from first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., shortstop Bo Bichette, right fielder George Springer and center fielder Daulton Varsho, they could end up having one of the best lineups baseball in 2025. Of course it would. It will take a lot for Toronto to outbid Boston and the two New York franchises, especially considering the income taxes that come with playing in Canada.

The Blue Jays cut Shohei Ohtani last offseason, however, so they might be ready to take this bidding war to the bitter end this time around.

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