2019 World Series-winning outfielder Juan Soto will take his time surveying the landscape in free agency before making his next move.

Soto has been a free agent before, and it worked out well for him, as he signed with the Washington Nationals, made his debut in 2018, and ended up becoming Rookie of the Year runner-up. Now, it looks like he and agent Scott Boras hope to recreate that magic.

The decision will be a personal one, determined by how he feels after meeting interested parties face-to-face, said Boras of Soto, who spent 2024 with New York Yankees after a two-season spell with the San Diego Padres.

“Due to the volume of interest and Juan’s desire to hear [from other teams], I can’t put a timeframe on it, but it’s going to be a very thorough process for him,” Boras said to ESPN. “He wants to meet people personally. He wants to talk with them. He wants to hear from them.”

Soto has become a fan favorite regardless of where he plays due to an extraordinary playing ability as a left fielder, right fielder, and batter. When he returned to the Nationals as a Padres player, he received a standing ovation. And, this year, in his sole season for the Yankees, he was a critical player in the franchise’s march to the World Series, hitting 41 home runs.

“Owners want to meet with Juan and sit down and talk with him about what they’re going to provide for their franchise short term and long term,” said Boras.

Soto is wanted by the Mets

Soto is wanted by the Mets ( 

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Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

The Yankees aren’t even favorites to secure his signature and it could take a bank-busting amount to do a deal. Soto’s overall package could be the second largest in MLB history, behind only Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million, 10-year package at Los Angeles Dodgers, who beat the Yankees in Game 5.

As The Mirror reported last week, the Yankees will be worried that they lose Soto to the New York Mets, as the Subway Series rival plans to meet the player. The Mets are not the only franchise interested in him, though, as ESPN reports that San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays could also make a play for the slugger.

That should just be the tip of the iceberg, though, Boras said, as any franchise worth its salt will want a “great magiciant” like Soto to cast his spells for them as a proven playoff player.