Cincinnati Reds fans are seeing in real time how difficult making it to the World Series is going to be. Two of the biggest spenders in Major League Baseball are currently going head-to-head for all the marbles, and it looks as if the Los Angeles Dodgers will make it a clean sweep of the New York Yankees. LA currently leads New York 3-0 in the series and has a chance to clinch their eighth World Championship on Tuesday night in the Bronx.
But it was the rumors that emerged prior to Game 3 that now has all of baseball on the edge of their seat with the upcoming offseason only days away. According to MLB insider and New York Post columnist Jon Heyman, the Dodgers will pursue free agent to-be Juan Soto this winter.
Soto is set to become the most sought after free agent on the open market this offseason. But due to the high cost attached to obtaining his services, a limited number of clubs will be involved in negotiations. Many experts believe that Soto’s deal will surpass Mike Trout’s 12-year, $426.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
Dodgers-Juan Soto rumors offer further proof that Reds’ strategy will never work
The Yankees are the odds-on favorite to sign Soto this offseason, with teams like the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Francisco Giants also expected to meet with Soto and his agent Scott Boras. But Heyman’s reporting has thrown a monkey wrench into the offseason, and the idea that LA could line their coffers with the addition of Soto to a lineup that already features Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Shohei Ohtani is outright egregious.
As Heyman correctly points out, the only reason the Dodgers could even afford to make such an outlandish offer is due to Ohtani’s deferred contract. The Dodgers’ superstar inked a 10-year, $700 million deal with LA last winter with 97% of the money deferred.
The Reds, along with about 25 other organizations will never spend as frivolously as the Dodgers. Not only would Bob Castellini never invest that type of money into the franchise, but the Reds’ questionable television deal has already raised concerns over next year’s payroll.
Several small market clubs made a run at the postseason this year. The Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, and Cleveland Guardians showed that it’s possible to be a contender without spending $300 million. But if the Dodgers land Soto this offseason, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred might as well cancel the 2025 season and just hand Los Angeles the trophy.
Contending for a playoff spot is one thing, but winning the World Series is the goal of every team. If the Dodgers continue to build a super-team out on the West Coast, the Reds (and so many other teams) will never come close achieving their aspirations. For the Reds’ sake, and the sake of baseball fans everywhere, some other team needs to outbid the Dodgers.
