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A surprise team has emerged as an early front-runner to win the\u00a0Juan Soto<\/a>\u00a0free agency sweepstakes.<\/p>\n Juan Soto had an MVP-caliber season in his first season with the\u00a0New York Yankees<\/a>, leading them to a World Series appearance. The Pinstripes were ousted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games, however, and speculation has quickly ramped up about Soto\u2019s future in the Bronx.<\/p>\n In 2022, reports emerged that Soto rejected a $440 million extension while he was with the Washington Nationals. At only 26 years of age, Soto is a sure bet to land at least half a billion dollars on his next deal.<\/p>\n Big-market and high-spending teams like the Yankees, Dodgers and New York Mets have already been floated as the early favorites to win the Soto sweepstakes. According to ESPN\u2019s Jeff Passan, however, there\u2019s another AL East team to monitor in the Soto chase.<\/p>\n Speaking on Sportsnet\u2019s \u201cBlair & Barker\u201d show, Passan\u00a0mentioned\u00a0<\/a>the\u00a0Toronto Blue Jays<\/a>\u00a0as a potential landing spot, as he believes that the Yankees slugger \u201cwould be serious about\u201d signing with them:<\/p>\n