The Red Sox held their meeting with Juan Soto on Thursday, and there might have been more to it than just making a pitch to the coveted free agent.
MassLive’s Sean McAdam reported Friday that Boston’s meeting with Soto was “productive.” President Sam Kennedy, chairman Tom Werner, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora met with the 26-year-old in Los Angeles. The sides didn’t get into financials as the nature of the meeting was “more “largely introductory and informational.”
The information gained from the meeting might have been Soto gauging Boston’s interest in him. However, it might also have included his agent Scott Boras.
“… He is not the only free agent that Scott Boras has this season,” insider Jon Morosi said on MLB Network. “Whether or not the conversation ends up being about Soto, he’s still in terms of Scott Boras, the same agent for a Corbin Burnes, for Blake Snell, for any number of high-end position players. Pete Alonso is one more. When you’re sitting down with Juan Soto, let’s not forget you’re also sitting down with someone who represents six or seven of the top 12 free agents in the industry right now. …”
The Red Sox need more high-quality arms for their pitching staff, and they could look to Boras clients to help solve that issue. Chris Holt was hired as bullpen coach this week, and he has experience with Burnes from their short time with the Baltimore Orioles. Boston also needs a right-handed bat, and it’s been linked to Alex Bregman, another Boras client.
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It’s certainly possible the Red Sox used the Soto meeting not only to pitch the All-Star outfielder to them but also to see where they’re at with other free agents. That doesn’t mean there was nothing to the Soto meeting. Boston could sign Soto and another high-end free agent to address its needs, a three-hour meeting with Boras could help achieve those goals.
