The Dodgers might have a new free agent superstar to pursue in the offseason. Yankees All-Star outfielder Juan Soto, a free agent next offseason, said during media day for the All-Star game at Globe Life Field in Arlington that Shohei Ohtani is the one player he hasn’t played with yet that he wants to play with.
“Ohtani would’ve been one of the best,” Soto said. “Now he went to the NL, I went to the AL. So, it’s been a little tricky, but definitely Ohtani would be one of them.”
It sounds like Soto was talking about in the context of the All-Star game. Ohtani spent the first portion of his career with the Angels in the American League while Soto spent his first seasons in the National League with the Nationals and Padres.
While the notion of adding Soto will be enticing for Dodgers fans, it’s hard to imagine they’ll be in the mix for the superstar. He’s having a sensational year with the Yankees, and they’d likely be the frontrunners to retain him in the offseason. The Dodgers also have a slew of significant financial commitments that may handcuff them from getting in the sweepstakes for another player who’s going to make something in the realm of half a billion dollars.
Alas, it’s fun to think about, and don’t be surprised if Los Angeles is at least mentioned in the mix if Soto hits free agency.
