- Soto will remain with the Padres for now, but he is rumored to be on the trade block
- Ohtani previously told the Yankees six years earlier that he prefers the West Coast
- READ MORE: Shohei Ohtani meets with Cubs and reportedly offers more than $500 million
Shohei Ohtani may not be destined for New York, while it is increasingly likely that Juan Soto will end up in the Bronx in 2024.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Tuesday that Ohtani can't imagine himself in the Big Apple, which is more or less what he told the Yankees six years ago when he first came over from Japan to sign with the Los Angeles Angels .
Although his free-agency tour is largely shrouded in mystery, Ohtani, who is rumored to be attracting offers in excess of $500 million, has reportedly met with representatives from the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays. However, Heyman reports that the two-way sensation is feeling at home in Southern California, which could increase the chances of him staying in Anaheim with the Angels or signing with the LA Dodgers.
One player who appears to be on his way out of Southern California is Soto, the San Diego Padres slugger who has reportedly become the Yankees' top target this season.
Speaking to reporters at the winter meetings in Nashville, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman didn't bother to hide his affinity for Soto.
“He's a transformational bat,” Cashman told the media at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. “He's one of the best hitters in the game. So he's an impact, period.”
Of course, the Yankees and Padres still have to work out a trade for Soto, and that won't be easy.
New York is clearly reluctant to part with too many prospects for someone who will become a free agent after the 2024 season, while San Diego is looking to reclaim talent after giving up several young players to acquire Soto from Washington in 2022.
“Right now he's an impact for someone else,” Cashman said. 'I know [Padres GM] AJ Preller is open to a lot of different things, as we all should be as we head into the winter and try to figure out how to reconfigure our clubs to become what Texas turned out to be this year. And so we'll see. But he's certainly a great hitter.'
Soto only has one season left before hitting the free agent market, and having previously rejected a $440 million offer from the Washington Nationals in 2022, his next deal will likely be near Ohtani.
There remains a slim hope that Soto and the Padres agree to play out the 2024 campaign. Newly appointed manager Mike Shildt told reporters he has been texting with the 25-year-old and plans to see him in Florida next week.
“I'm going to visit Juan in Miami,” Shildt told reporters at the winter meetings. 'We have planned on the 17th. I assume this is public information. Then I'll go see Tati (Fernando Tatis Jr.) on the 18th and 19th and then bounce to Aruba to see Bogey (Xander Bogaerts) afterward.”
Soto will be eligible for arbitration this winter and is expected to make about $33 million.
The Padres were just 82-80 last season, despite the presence of All-Stars Soto, Tatis and Bogaerts.