Red Sox pushing hard for Juan Soto in rising Yankees threat

For the Yankees, it is not just a regional rival but a blood rival that looms as a serious threat in the Juan Soto derby.The Red Sox are increasingly seen as a legitimate contender in the sweepstakes for the generational slugger as word is they are stepping up efforts to lure the superstar hitter away from their historic AL East nemesis.Sources say the Red Sox are attempting to sell Soto on his fit in Boston — a fit both at Fenway Park and within the history of the franchise.Soto is a pure hitter who uses all fields (and not a dead pull hitter who frequents the short porch in The Bronx).He enjoyed the best offensive full season of his career in his year in pinstripes — but his road OPS was 57 points higher than at home (1.017 to .960).In Boston, the club’s best hitters have historically been left-handed (Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and David Ortiz), and lazy opposite-field fly balls from Soto could become doubles that bang off the Green Monster.

Having spent his first six seasons in the National League, Soto has played just nine career games at Fenway, where he likely would move from right field to its smaller left field defensively.During the Red Sox’s sit-down with Soto and agent Scott Boras two weeks ago in California, which was attended by Red Sox co-owner Tom Werner, the team also stressed its rich history with star players from the Dominican Republic.Ortiz and Pedro Martinez became legends in Beantown.

Rafael Devers could become Soto’s lineup protection.Executives involved in the bidding, which is in its relatively early stages, say they expect some offers to eventually reach or exceed $600 million, which would easily be a record for present-day value.(Shohei Ohtani’s heavily deferred $700 million Dodgers deal’s worth is pegged at between $430 million to $470 million.)Such an expenditure from the Red Sox would be stunning for a franchise that traded away Mookie Betts rather than signing him long term; that has cut payroll significantly begi...