Insider Reveals Juan Soto's Expected Free Agency Decision Date

Indications are that former New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto will make his free agency decision sooner than expected.

Oct 29, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) on third base during the first inning in game four of the 2024 MLB World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The ongoing free agency saga of former New York Yankees superstar outfielder Juan Soto has held the baseball community's collective attention ever since the 2024 World Series ended.

While every team in the league would love to have Soto on their roster, only a select few clubs have the money to pay the 26-year-old what he'll demand and have the potential to be championship contenders in the coming years (which Soto has made clear matters to him).

Of course, the Yankees check both of these boxes. But so do the Los Angeles Dodgers (who Soto is meeting with on Tuesday, November 19) and other teams such as the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and San Francisco Giants.

It remains to be seen which team Soto will ultimately sign with. However, a November 18 article from MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand conveyed a date that it sounds like Soto will likely make his decision by.

"The Juan Soto sweepstakes are in full swing, and while no conclusion is expected before Thanksgiving, the feeling around the industry is that the slugger could make his decision prior to the Winter Meetings, which get underway on Dec. 9 in Dallas," Feinsand wrote.

Inside the Soto sweepstakes: December decision? And a mystery club? Also inside: the next team scheduled to meet with the top free-agent prize. https://t.co/VpMxfUXjPF

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 19, 2024

While this date of December 9 is not guaranteed, the fact that Soto could have decided on his new team in just 19 days is fascinating.

An anonymous National League executive was also quoted sharing a similar date in the article.

“We all know that Boras has a reputation for dragging free agency along at a snail’s pace,” they said. “But when he has someone like Soto, that doesn’t usually happen. I’d be surprised if he hasn’t signed by the time we leave Dallas [when the meetings conclude on Dec. 12].”

So it sounds like fans can expect the Soto sweepstakes be over by at least the end of the Winter Meetings.