MLB Analyst: What Red Sox Should Consider Regarding Juan Soto
The Boston Red Sox are in the mix for free agent outfielder Juan Soto — along with several others eager to sign the four-time All-Star — and the race toward adding the left-handed slugger isn’t expected to be an easy trot.
Soto is projected to land anywhere around $500 million, and possibly more, in free agency which creates the challenge. Former big leaguer and current MLB analyst Eduardo Pérez broke down what Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, team ownership and the rest of Boston’s front office should take into consideration before meeting to speak with Soto at the negotation table.
“I think (the Red Sox) have to do their due diligence of finding out, ‘OK Juan Soto, he comes to Boston. What are the benefits besides the on-base percentage, besides his ability and opportunity to win,'” Pérez told MLB Network Radio on Wednesday. “And oh by the way, let’s also show him what the park configuration numbers would be for 81 games played at Fenway Park. This year Juan Soto, more than ever, pulled the baseball where he, in the past, used to drive the ball more to left field.”
Debuting with Boston’s rival New York Yankees, Soto was spectacular at the plate. The 26-year-old belted a career-high 41 home runs with 109 RBIs while batting .288, doing more than enough stock value justice before entering the open market. It’s unknown how Soto feels about the Big Apple, specifically, and whether or not it’ll give the Yankees — or Mets — an advantage, but Soto did clarify following the World Series that he’d be all ears. In other words, that could mean money talks above all else.
Pérez, however, claims the Red Sox should leverage Boston’s deep Dominican community, which of course Soto can relate to as a Dominican Republic native.
“It’s the community, the Dominican community, that’s big in Boston,” Pérez added. “And I would not be surprised if (Rafael) Devers, ‘Carita,’ is a part of this. Like saying, look we want you here and these are the reasons why. Give him the selling point.”