"Juan Soto loved San Diego, just didn't love clubhouse dynamics" - MLB insider claims Dodgers can't be ruled out in race for coveted free agent

The Los Angeles Dodgers aren't considered among the top contenders to land superstar free agent Juan Soto, especially after signing Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million deal earlier this week. Nevertheless, MLB insider Jon Heyman feels the Dodgers can't be ruled out of the race yet, as the ex-San Diego Padres slugger enjoyed living in California, although he didn'y quite fit in with the team.

Since making his debut in the major leagues in 2018, Juan Soto played four seasons for the Washington Nationals before he was traded to the San Diego Padres during the 2022 campaign. Soto didn'y have a good start with his new team as he struggled to connect with his teammates and coaches. He joined the New York Yankees in 2024 for his final season before heading into free agency.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post, on 'The Mayor's Office with Sean Casey' podcast this week, offered his thoughts on the Juan Soto sweepstakes.

"I don't believe that he's eliminated the West Coast," Heyman said. "So I'm not eliminating the Dodgers.

"I have heard, and this is third hand, that he loved living in San Diego," he added. "He just didn't love the clubhouse dynamic in San Diego, and he loved the actual living in San Diego. So, I don't think we can rule out the Dodgers based on geography. I don't believe that."

The Dodgers added former Padres ace Blake Snell to their already lengthy group of starting pitchers, as most of them were unavailable during the postseason. They have some holes to fill in their roster, so signing the marquee free agent of this offseason may not be at the top of their agenda this year.

"Basically a tossup between the Yankees and the Mets": Jon Heyman on the top suitors for Juan Soto

Juan Soto played 214 regular season games for the Padres before joining the Yankees (Photo Credit: Imagn)

Juan Soto is widely expected to receive a record-breaking contract for a position player. He has reportedly had discussions with four other teams besides the Los Angeles Dodgers since becoming a free agent.

As per Jon Heyman, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox are also eager to acquire him, but the New York Yankees and the New York Mets are the strongest suitors.

"Toronto has certainly got the wherewithal to do it," Heyman said. "Boston is certainly trying hard. They have a rich history. I heard they had a good meeting. And, certainly, the Mets with Steve Cohen. You've got to figure they have got a shot, and they seem extremely, extremely motivated.

"Even though he loved living in San Diego the best, I'm going to call it basically a tossup today between the Yankees and the Mets."

Soto batted .265/.405/.488 with an OPS+ of 148 in 214 games for the San Diego Padres and posted 7.2 bWAR over his one-and-a-half-season spell with them.

About the author

Paranjoy Goswami (Bobo) is a baseball reporter at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience writing with publications such as Eagle Bet, India Bet and Paradine.

He has provided full coverage, match previews and betting tips on major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, English Premier League, German Bundesliga, ICC World Cup, Indian Premier League and several others.

Bobo grew up supporting the Red Sox but has also been on the Phillies bandwagon for the past couple of years. He also roots for the St. Louis Cardinals and Seattle Mariners.

While he hasn't played much baseball, Bobo's fascination with the sport started with an 8-bit Nintendo game, where he picked up the basic rules. He started watching live MLB matches on TV about 20 years ago and his love for baseball just grew by leaps and bounds from then on.

Bobo's favorite player was probably Tim Wakefield as not only was he the best knuckleball pitcher of his time, but he was also a Red Sox legend, an outstanding team player and a great human being. Among the current generation, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Scherzer and Bryce Harper get the nod.

Bobo's favorite moment in baseball history was when the Red Sox beat the Yankees before breaking their World Series curse in 2004. That said, Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier was the most important.

Outside of baseball, Bobo's interests include literature, comics, world history, science fiction, satire, classic movies, PC games, pets, playing sports, cycling, traveling, sightseeing and quiet reflection.

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Edited by Bhargav