Fans dreaming of Juan Soto donning a Philadelphia Phillies jersey might need to reconsider as the latest updates have dimmed hopes of the superstar landing in the City of Brotherly Love.
The Phillies, who are expected to make aggressive offseason moves to address weaknesses in their lineup, were considered a natural fit for Soto. His combination of power, discipline, and consistency at the plate perfectly aligns with the team’s need for a corner outfielder who can reduce their high chase rate and inject life into the offense.
Soto, a four-time All-Star expected to command a record-breaking contract exceeding $600 million, seemed like the ideal solution for the Phillies’ woes, especially after their bats went cold in their NLDS loss to the New York Mets.
No Conversations with Soto’s Camp
However, USA Today’s MLB insider Bob Nightengale has squashed the Soto-to-Phillies rumors.
“Oh, and after all the speculation that the Philadelphia Phillies are involved in the Soto sweepstakes? They haven’t had a single conversation with Boras to express interest in Soto,” Nightengale reported.
This revelation isn’t entirely unexpected. Philadelphia’s payroll for 2025 is projected at $263 million, leaving little room for a megadeal like Soto’s. Additionally, Phillies owner John Middleton has previously indicated that Soto appears more interested in playing for a New York team, further reducing the likelihood of him coming to Philadelphia.
Phillies Explore Other Options
While the Soto dream seems unlikely, the Phillies remain active in reshaping their roster. Reports indicate they are exploring trades involving several high-profile players, including All-Stars Alec Bohm, Nick Castellanos, and Ranger Suarez, as well as top prospect Justin Crawford.
If Bohm is moved, the Phillies have expressed interest in free-agent infielders Alex Bregman and Willy Adames as potential replacements.
Although missing out on Soto is disappointing, the Phillies are clearly committed to making impactful moves this offseason to improve their lineup and position themselves for another deep postseason run in 2025.
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