Juan Soto sweepstakes: Is he the Yankees' to lose? Analyzing 9 potential suitors

Let the Photoshopping begin.

Juan Soto is officially on the open market, which has just about every fan base rendering the young superstar in their teams' uniform. From now until he signs on the dotted line of a contract that could set a Major League Baseball record, the Soto sweepstakes are expected to be a dizzying frenzy for the most prized free agent in this year's class — and one of the most coveted ever. 

Even though Soto said he's "going to be available for all 30 teams," and each of MLB's clubs would no doubt love to have him in their lineup, they're not all set up to go deep into October, and they can't all afford him. Soto's agent, Scott Boras, is expected to propose a $500 million contract as the starting point in negotiations. Depending on the demand and desperation for the 26-year-old slugger, that number could skyrocket past $600 million. 

So, that gives us a better idea of which teams are practical landing spots for Soto, whose camp hasn't made it clear how many years he's seeking with his future team. It's believed that Soto wants to play into his 40s, so a 14-year deal could be on the table. A 22-year-old Fernando Tatís Jr. set the record for the longest pact in MLB history when he signed a 14-year extension with the Padres in 2021. 

Could Soto be next? Let's take a look at how he might fit in with several potential suitors. This isn't a definitive list of the teams that will throw their hat into the ring for Soto. Every front office, even the executives leading small-market clubs, should at least try to go after the Cooperstown-bound generational talent. Rather, these are the teams that seem the most likely to be involved based on their history of spending, roster makeup, and path to contention. 

RELA