On Saturday, it was announced that the San Francisco Giants would be cutting spending this offseason. This basically means they are out of the Juan Soto sweepstakes.

This is great news for the Toronto Blue Jays, who are also linked to Soto. One less team to manage is obviously desirable, and according to Bob Nightengale of The United States todaythe Jays are seen as a serious contender.

The following happened Friday after the conclusion of the CEO meetings:

Although no baseball team desires Soto, baseball executives believe the finalists for his services will be the Yankees, Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants. The Blue Jays appear to be the most popular candidates.

The Blue Jays can afford Soto, even if the bidding is between $600 million and $700 million. After all, they were one of the last teams to enter the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes a season ago. Additionally, the Jays appear to have a desire to compete in 2025. After a last-place finish in the American League East, some thought the Jays could rebuild, but they appear to want to make another run with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and core Bo Bichette.

If Soto connected Torontohe would team up with those two, plus veteran George Springer, to form a very solid top half of the batting order.

Soto hit .288 this season for the Yankees with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs. He’s on pace to finish in the top three in American League MVP voting. He is a former batting champion and World Series champion (2019). Soto just turned 26 years old.

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