Just to get the formalities out of the way, Juan Soto officially declined the qualifying offer by Tuesday’s deadline.
And after taking care of meetings with the Mets and Yankees, Soto was expected to add the Dodgers to his list and, as The Post’s Jon Heyman reported, the free-spending Phillies will also be in the mix.
So if you’re keeping score, that makes at least six teams interested in the offseason’s top free agent, with the Blue Jays and Red Sox also involved in the Soto Sweepstakes.
New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) doubles during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium.Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Dodgers and the Phillies, combined with the Mets and Yankees, could set up an unprecedented bidding war among the big-market teams — especially between the Mets and Yankees.
The last time a New York free agent hit the open market coming off a spectacular offensive season, Aaron Judge re-signed with the Yankees with a push mostly from the West Coast, with the Giants and Padres the biggest threats.
Phillies star Bryce Harper.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Perhaps the Dodgers will just keep spending coming off a World Series victory or the Phillies will also throw caution to the wind and try to reunite Soto with former Nationals teammates Bryce Harper and Trea Turner.
Some remain skeptical how much more Philadelphia will add to its payroll.
Even team owner John Middleton said earlier this month, “I’m afraid Juan Soto wants to be in New York. … I just think he likes New York.”
But Soto said after the season that all 30 teams would have an equal shot at signing him — as long as the money was right and they were in position to win.
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) rounds the bases on his grand slam. The home run gave the Mets the lead over the Phillies during the 6th inning of Game 4 of the NLDS.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
We’ll find out soon if he meant it.
The Mets, Yankees, Phillies and Dodgers all finished in the top five in team payroll last season, according to Spotrac.com, so it makes sense they are in the mix for Soto.
The Dodgers and Mets most recently went head-to-head with a free agent just last offseason, when they were the last teams standing for Yoshinobu Yamamoto before the right-hander ended up in Los Angeles.
This time, the edge might go to the Mets, thanks to Soto’s expected desire to remain on the East Coast — as well as Steve Cohen’s willingness to spend and Soto’s comfort in The Bronx this past season.
New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo (24), outfielder Aaron Judge (99) and outfielder Juan Soto (22) celebrate after winning game four of the 2024 MLB World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium.Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Certainly, Soto, at just 26 years old, will no doubt land the biggest deal of the offseason.
How it compares to that of last year’s free agent monster, Shohei Ohtani, remains to be seen, since Soto only brings his fearsome bat, as well as a shaky glove in right field.
The meetings are in Southern California.
Soto entered his final season before free agency with little else to prove, but a December trade to the Yankees helped solidify his position as one of the top players in the game.
Juan Soto had a monster year for the Yankees in 2024.Robert Sabo for NY Post
He continued to excel under the brightest lights — including throughout the postseason — so Soto certainly won’t be cowed by playing in either The Bronx or Queens.
Caleb Durbin opened eyes during a solid 2024 season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and then starred in the Arizona Fall League.
On Tuesday, the utility infielder — who played second base, third and shortstop, as well as some outfield in the minors this past season — was added to the Yankees 40-man roster.
Aaron Boone has praised the 24-year-old Durbin, who has plenty of fans within the organization thanks to his bat-to-ball skills and speed.
He had 29 stolen bases with SWB last season.
With Gleyber Torres headed toward free agency, Durbin’s name has been floated as a potential replacement, especially if the Yankees land Soto on an expensive deal, but there are questions surrounding his durability.
The Yankees also protected 22-year-old Jesus Rodriguez, who has spent time at catcher and in the infield and ended last season with Double-A Somerset.
Right-hander Zach Messinger and first baseman T.J. Rumfield were both left off and can be selected in the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 11 at the Winter Meetings in Dallas.
Carson Coleman, a 26-year-old right-hander selected by the Rangers in last year’s Rule 5 draft, was returned to the Yankees after missing all of last season following 2023 Tommy John surgery. He last pitched for Double-A Somerset in 2022.
