JUAN SOTO has been tipped for a move to a major MLB rival this offseason and old footage seems to suggest it could be a viable switch.
Soto is expected to become a free agent in the offseason as his one-year deal with the New York Yankees comes to an end.
The 26-year-old could be joining the LA Dodgers, with reports suggesting that Soto’s free agency would take him to the west coast.
It’s claimed that The Dodgers are interested in the four-time all-star with John Heyman writing in the New York Post that the Dodgers plan to enter into the offseason bidding war.
Despite concerns that such a big player joining an already dominant team could create an imbalance, footage from the Home Run Derby earlier this year has suggested that Soto could be interested in the move.
Soto was seen hanging out with a number of different Dodgers stars at the game, chatting with Teoscar Hernández and Shohei Ohtani.
Fans are convinced that the interaction is somehow proof that Soto would consider a switch to the Yankees’ World Series rivals.
On social media, one wrote: “Soto already part of the Dodgers gang”.
While another added: “He’s so a Dodger”.
And a third chimed in: “Yep, he’s going to LA. LOL.”
While another hint that Soto could be joining the Dodgers was his answer to which MLB player he would love to play with during his career.
Speaking back in July, Soto said: “I mean Ohtani would be one of the best. Now he’s gone to the NL and I’ve gone to the AL it’s been a little tricky.
“But definitely Ohtani would be one of them”.
However, not everyone is so convinced that Soto will be heading west.
MLB insider and expert Jeff Passan has suggested that it’s very unlikely that Soto will join the Dodgers, claiming LA is too far away from his home country of the Dominican Republic.
Asked if he thought the deal would happen on The Micheal Kay Show, he said: “Nope.
“The truth of the matter is, if Juan Soto signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers there will be a feeling of great imbalance in the sport.
“Beyond the fact that I don’t think he wants to go to California – he’s done that. It’s a really long way from the Dominican Republic, and he likes New York.
“There will be conversations [with the Dodgers] because of course there will be conversations.
“There has to be conversations because it’d be dumb if you’re the Dodgers and don’t inquire about Juan Soto.
“But signing him, at the end of the day, I just don’t see that happening.”
While Yankees fans are doing everything they can to try and convince their man to stay put and sign a new deal in the Big Apple.
During Tuesday’s game at Yankee Stadium the Bleacher Creatures could be heard shouting “We want Soto”, prompting a wave from the outfielder.
