The Los Angeles Dodgers met with four-time all-star Juan Soto this week but unless the market changes the defending World Series champs may have a tough time signing the coveted free agent, KTLA’s David “Ping” Pingalore reports.
“I can confirm through sources that @juansoto25_ did meet with Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes in Orange County today,” Ping posted on his Instagram account Tuesday.
Soto is the most sought-after slugger in the free agent market with other big-payroll teams like the New York Yankees (Soto’s most recent club) and the New York Mets expected to engage in a bidding war to land the outfielder who cracked 41 homers and knocked in 109 RBI while recording a .288 batting average in 2024.
New York Yankees’ Juan Soto speaks during media day for the baseball World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
New York Yankees’ Juan Soto, center, hits a home run off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) during the third inning in Game 2 of the baseball World Series, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
New York Yankees’ Juan Soto reacts after flying out against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning in Game 3 of the baseball World Series, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) 
New York Yankees’ Juan Soto, left, celebrates with Alex Verdugo (24) after scoring on a wild pitch against the Cleveland Guardians during the third inning in Game 1 of the baseball AL Championship Series Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Godofredo Vásquez) 
New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) warms up before playing against the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of the American League baseball playoff series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) 
Newly acquired New York Yankees’ Juan Soto attends a media availability at baseball spring training in Tampa, Fla., Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ron Blum) 
FILE – San Diego Padres’ Juan Soto follows the flight of his two-run home run against Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland in the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Denver. Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Pete Alonso are among 194 players across Major League Baseball still negotiating salaries for the 2024 season leading into Thursday’s Jan. 11, 2024, deadline. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) 
San Diego Padres Juan Soto dons a sombrero celebrating his solo home run against the San Francisco Giants in the 4th inning of an MLB baseball game at the Alfredo Harp Helu Stadium, in Mexico City, Saturday, April 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) 
FILE – Washington Nationals’ Juan Soto hits a three-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, on June 19, 2022, in Washington. The San Diego Padres acquired superstar outfielder Juan Soto from the Nationals on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in one of baseball’s biggest deals at the trade deadline, vaulting their postseason chances by adding one of the game’s best young hitters. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File) 
Washington Nationals’ Juan Soto acknowledges the New York Mets dugout as he steps in the batter’s box during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies are also expected to take a shot at Soto but Ping says Los Angeles may be hampered by a hesitancy to offer a long-term deal.
“According to sources if the market weakens the @dodgers interest would only be a 1-2 year deal as Soto seeks a long-term deal for 600m,” Ping posted.
The Dodgers are very familiar with what Soto can offer a team’s offense after facing him as a member of the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres in the National League.Â
Soto also played well in the World Series against the Dodgers. Despite the Yankees losing in five games Soto batted .313 and hit a home run in Game 2.