Could the Phillies ultimately be a fit for Juan Soto? It’s very early — he’s a year-and-a-half from free agency — but baseball people are envisioning Philadelphia as a spot that makes sense.
Soto has close ties from Nationals days with hitting coach Kevin Long and won a ring with Bryce Harper and Trea Turner. With Kyle Schwarber also there, they already have a distinct Nats flavor.
Unlike some others, the Phillies are batting high on big-time free agents (Harper and Zack Wheeler are big successes, Nick Castellanos and Schwarber are mostly successes, and it’s early in Turner’s tenure). Plus, baseball president Dave Dombrowski has been a collector of stars.
Soto “hasn’t been Soto” in San Diego, said one NL scout, and some wonder whether the distance from the Dominican is a negative for him. Padres GM A.J. Preller said he hasn’t sensed any issues like that with Soto, pointed out that Soto has been great since the first couple weeks and opined that he expects a big second half from the All-Star.
Rangers All-Star SP Nate Eovaldi said he had serious talked with the Yankees that ended when they signed Carlos Rodon, but he’s thrilled to be home in Texas with a clear contender. The Angels, Red Sox and Padres were among others in on him.
Kenley Jansen hopes the Red Sox don’t sell. “I think we’ve got a great team. I think if we keep playing good baseball, I don’t think it’s going to be a sale.” If they do sell, Jansen along with longtime Red Sox/Dodgers teammates Justin Turner and Kiké Hernandez would be among candidates to go. James Paxton might be their big catch though. Scout: “He’s pitching like a No. 1.”
The White Sox are said to have the most “good” players available early. Free agents Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Keynan Middleton should go, and others likely will, too.
The Cubs also are being eyed as a team that has valuable pieces to sell (Marcus Stroman, Cody Bellinger, etc.), but they’ll wait until closer to the deadline.
