Is being a supporting star so bad? This is a question for the ages. It isn’t new to see players wanting to be the main stars of their team, but sometimes, a huge shadow makes it almost impossible. Juan Soto is in a similar situation. Even when he’s having his career’s best season, Aaron Judge is having an even better one. Could this overshadowing play a role in discouraging Soto from rejoining the New York Yankees? Such speculations have surrounded Soto since the day he joined the Yankees. However, to the surprise of many, Soto and Aaron Judge immediately turned into a formidable duo on-field and lovable pals off-field.

But that doesn’t stop analysts from asking the legacy-related question to Soto. After all, has he been okay with playing second fiddle for years? “I think with Soto, there’s an attractive conversation of, and he’s handled it really well, but the Yankees are Aaron Judge’s team,” Tyler Milliken said on Underdog MLB with Jared Carrabis podcast. Milliken noted that while Soto has handled it well this season, would he be able to maintain that for the next several years? It is tough, especially because Judge continues to flirt with historical records. Perhaps that’s why a surprising name has emerged in this discussion for Soto’s free agency.

“But when you know the next 10 or 15 years of your career you’re going to be somewhere,” Milliken continued. “And this is more likely than not where your legacy is going to be etched, does it mean something to be that guy? If he came here to Boston (Red Sox), he would be that guy.” That’s certainly a take. Especially because Soto’s free agency till now has revolved around the New York franchises. Could the Boston Red Sox really make a play for Soto? The chances aren’t zero that’s for sure.

Is Juan Soto’s free agency turning into an AL/NL East affair?

Boston Red Sox haven’t been on a spending row since winning the 2018 World Series. Ever since then, the BoSox has consistently trended downward in payroll charts (1st in 2018 – 12th in 2024). However, it’s this lack of spending that has given the Red Sox the necessary flexibility to go after Juan Soto. But will they actually do that? It remains to be seen. Still, with this connection, an interesting pattern emerges regarding Soto’s free agency.

USAToday’s Bob Nightengale revealed earlier in September that five teams are expected to go after Juan Soto. Unsurprisingly, the Yankees and Mets are favorites but then came the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and the San Francisco Giants. Did you see anything familiar here? 4 of the 5 teams belong to the East Division and that is an expected outcome. After all, Juan Soto’s West Coast stint with the San Diego Padres wasn’t fruitful. And part of the reason for it was the slugger missing his family which resides on the East Coast. Could that play a role in Soto’s free agency?

So, as it stands, there are multiple factors affecting Juan Soto’s free agency. Whether it be his interest in being the main character (no hints of it yet) or his love for the East Coast (very visible), things are getting interesting. Where Soto will go is anyone’s guess, but still, it makes it fun to take a chance. So, where will Childish Bambino go? Let us know in the comments.