The Boston Red Sox are showcasing aggression this off-season, just like many insiders speculated. They are gearing up to sign the biggest check in franchise history and all for Juan Soto. The slugger, known for his power and precision, is just 26 and has years of youth left to play. After his stellar run wearing the pinstripes, Soto will probably sign a deal of $600 million or more, and the Boston Red Sox want nothing more than to clinch Soto from the New York Yankees. But there is a catch!

The Boston Red Sox haven’t been this aggressive in free agency for years. However, they did spend a whopping $331 million on Rafael Devers in 2023, but that was a contract extension. Even that amount had the fans buzzing, so, this gigantic deal with Soto is big news. Even with teams like the Yankees or the Mets in the competition, the Red Sox are not backing out. Recently, manager Alex Cora, though tight-lipped, did end up talking about the hush-hush meeting they had with Juan Soto.

The Red Sox are going all in for Juan Soto

The Red Sox connected with Juan Soto in California during a three-hour-long meeting. Now that might seem like a lot, but as reported by MassLive, the meeting was ‘productive.’ However, they didn’t discuss money matters –  despite the massive financial aspect of this deal. Not much has been revealed about the exchange, but Alex Cora gave us a cheeky hint, explaining what else was discussed between Soto and the Sox.

Manager Cora said, “People seem to love Juan Soto and his shuffle”, further adding that he couldn’t tell if he went to the meeting or not, but there was a process in place. However, as reported by MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, the sheer smirk on Cora’s face spoke volumes, hinting that something was brewing. While he didn’t spill the beans of the meeting, the team reportedly showcased its rich history of associating with Dominican players over the years, like David Ortiz and more.

Originating from the same heritage, this idea could have caught Juan Soto’s eye for sure – he treasures his culture, which makes many wonder if this connection can sway him. Also, is that the reason for Cora’s smirk? Only time will tell; but what if Soto doesn’t respond with this sentiment?

If not Soto, who could be the ‘Plan B’ for Boston?

While the Boston Red Sox are on the hunt for Juan Soto, so are others; including their rivals, the New York Yankees, who don’t want to miss out on getting Soto back after he took them to the World Series. The Mets have a big spending budget with Steve Cohen, the richest owner by their side, and the Blue Jays, too, are in this run after the heartbreak they had with Shohei Ohtani last season. So, Boston does need a Plan B, unless they want to put all eggs in one basket like the Jays did last time.

One name that has been cropping up but not an alternative to Soto is Willy Adames. According to Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe, the Milwaukee Brewers shortstop has the power and positional versatility at the plate. “Like (Teoscar Hernandez), Adames is a right-handed bat who brings some slug. What makes him even more valuable is that he does it from the shortstop position,” McWilliams noted.

Adames’ 2024 campaign was stellar with a career-high 32 homers and 112 RBIs. So, if Boston misses out on Soto, Adames’ power might be worth the investment – he is projected to be valued at over $150 million. Now, the question is: Can the Red Sox outbid deep-pocketed rivals like the Yankees or Mets and bag Juan Soto? What’s your prediction? Let us know below.