Do you want to be one of the favorites to win the World Series next year (or at least finish second to the Dodgers)? Add Juan Soto.

The eyes of major market teams eager to win a championship will be on the four-time All-Star and Silver Slugger, who is the biggest prize in free agency this winter and likely a contract worth over half a billion dollars will be received.

The Phillies really want to be in the mix and have some strong ties to the outfielder, with former Washington teammates Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner already on the roster in Philly. The team also hasn’t been shy about making it clear that they have deep pockets and are desperate to make as much noise as possible this winter.

However, with Soto and the Yankees already enjoying success in the Big Apple last month and making it to the Fall Classic, he may not be seriously considering Philadelphia as his long-term home. At least that’s what MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand reported on Tuesday:

The Yankees and Mets are expected to engage in a bidding war for the superstar slugger, and while other teams like the Phillies, Dodgers, Giants and Nationals could dip their respective toes into the pool, there is widespread belief in the industry that this will ultimately happen Soto land in New York.

The only question is whether his home will be in Queens or the Bronx.

“It’s the Yankees or the Mets,” an American League executive said when asked to interfere with the Soto sweepstakes. “He knows the Yankees well, having spent a year there, and Steve Cohen has enough money to give him what he wants if he decides he really wants him.” It’s hard for me to imagine “That Soto ends up somewhere else.”

Word is that Soto would prefer to stay on the East Coast, which would be an obstacle for the Dodgers or any other West Coast club. The Phillies will likely try to land the four-time All-Star, a source said, hoping the presence of former Nationals teammates Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber, as well as hitting coach Kevin Long, could work to their advantage. But Soto had a taste of New York in 2024, helping the Yankees advance to the World Series in his first and only season in pinstripes. (MLB.com)

There are a bevy of other free agents who could help the Phillies improve, but none of them can hold a candle to Soto, who is just 26 years old and still has a lot of his best years ahead of him. Unlike the other stars with long-term contracts, Soto would not reach 40 by the end of a potential long-term contract.

It sounds like Harper will have to throw his hat in the ring again and help the Phillies campaign for Soto (like he did with most of the Phillies’ other free agent signings). The team has to outbid the two New York clubs to have a real chance of signing him.

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