The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers rivalry got a whole lot spicier. And no, it’s not just because the men in blue are up by 2-0 in the World Series; well, partially that too! But while the Yankees already have enough reasons to despise the Dodgers, another splinter has now taken shape. News is dropping that their West Coast rivals may be plotting a move against their star player, Juan Soto, during the off-season.

This is not just internet sleuths typing in, but a legit ‘could-be’ scenario put forth by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Juan Soto’s free agency has been a hot topic since he joined the Yankees and aced the season. The Yankees know that the deal could touch Shohei Ohtani’s value, and Brian Cashman is ready to pay for him. But is money the only thing Soto is looking at? And if he is, the Dodgers are also here, guns blazing apparently!

Is Juan Soto headed to the LA Dodgers next?

Heyman’s report adds a serious wrinkle to the Mets and Yankees-only narrative. “The Dodgers are halfway to beating the Yankees in the World Series, and word is they have an interest in signing Yankees superstar Juan Soto, according to people familiar with their thinking,” he wrote; but will Soto head back west is the question now. Moreover, recently, Cashman said they are ready to “pay a lot, simple as that” when it comes to Soto.

Soto himself has always mentioned that he wants to be with a winning team, so, the cards seem to be on the Dodger side. But it’s hard to imagine the Dodgers spending this much yet again, given the projected value for Soto’s contract is $500 million+. The LA Dodgers have had mega signings recently, Shohei Ohtani has the highest-paid contract, with 10 years and $700 million, not to forget their World Series Game 2 hero, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whom they paid a hefty $325 million deal for last winter.

But LA might just be in better financial standing than most realize. Shohei Ohtani has deferred the majority of his pay, which gives the Dodgers a financial legroom that many big teams don’t have. So, believe it or not, they can be aiming big at players like Soto, making this narrative by Heyman not that far-fetched. However, this theory, too, isn’t without holes – something Heyman pointed out himself, and the reason? The geography!

East Coast or West Coast? What will Soto choose?

“The Dodgers’ overriding question on Soto is geographic,” Heyman reported. And it makes complete sense; early on in his career, it was in the news that the Dominican preferred to play on the East Coast rather than the West as the place seems to resonate with him both culturally and geographically. Hence, most see that the Mets and Yankees are the frontrunners for Juan Soto. But it’s not a simple choice.

Last time, there was a massive chance that Juan Soto would re-sign with the San Diego Padres last summer before the tragic passing of Padres owner Peter Seidler. At present, Soto has enhanced his resume; his time with the New York Yankees showed his prowess in the regular season and a clutch performance in the playoffs. Soto and Giancarlo Stanton are the ones piggybacking the team right now, with Aaron Judge still facing a sad slump.

The Dodgers already are home to superstars, and while many feel Soto doesn’t want to end up being second fiddle, it really can’t be the deciding factor. Look at how Juan Soto aced it out with Judge – they were the power Yankee boys, being compared to the past Yankee legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig! Hence, it’s not a simple decision, but if LA keeps showing their mantle now, Yankee fans might be up for a surprise shift.

Do you think ‘Soto in blue’ can happen anytime soon? Let us know below.