The Juan Soto rumor mill is heating up.

The 26-year-old superstar has met with four teams so far: the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and New York Yankees. Soto is set to meet with the Dodgers “early this week, possibly as soon as Tuesday,” per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Feinsand, per his source, said another “mystery team” has already spoken with Soto. He also threw the Phillies into the mix as a team that could meet with the outfielder, and didn’t rule out that the Phillies were that specific mystery team:

“One source said Soto had spoken with at least one other team besides those that have been reported, thrusting the good ol’ mystery club into the equation.”

According to sources, other teams that could meet with Soto include the Giants, Phillies, and Rays. Tampa Bay would appear to be a long shot, particularly now that the club will be playing home games in 2025 at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, following the damage to the Tropicana Field roof sustained last month during Hurricane Milton.”

Could the Phillies have already met with Soto and we haven’t heard a peep about it? I’d say that’s unlikely, unless that’s the way that the Phillies want to move through this free agency.

If the Phillies meet with Soto, I wouldn’t be shocked to hear that Bryce Harper is there, or at least plays a big part in the process. Harper was a driving force in the signings of Nick Castellanos, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber over the last two offseasons. Harper said he was going to call Mike Trout in 2020. He had a hand in the pot for the Phillies’ mobile pitch to Yoshinobu Yamamoto.


If Harper truly wants a star to come here, he’s going to try his best to get in the mix to show the player he cares. Soto has a history with Harper, Turner, Schwarber, Kevin Long, and more. If the Phillies are willing to fork up the Soto money, the connection is already there.

While the Soto race seems to be focused on the Yankees or Mets, you can’t write any team off that wants to win and has the money. The Phillies aren’t afraid to spend. John Middleton “wants his fucking trophy back.” They’re not going to go down without swinging (no, I won’t make a low and away slider joke there).

Update as of 11:57 AM EST: The Phillies have not yet met with Soto, but do plan to meet with him, per Jon Heyman.