LOS ANGELES — The negotiation landscape for Juan Soto is beginning to shift, as he starts narrowing down the list of teams vying for his services ahead of the upcoming winter meetings.

Soto, a prominent free agent, is expected to command a substantial contract similar to or potentially setting new records. He has engaged in discussions with several high-profile teams, including the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays.

His agent, Scott Boras, shared insights following a press conference where the Los Angeles Dodgers introduced his other client, Blake Snell. Boras noted that Soto is carefully reviewing all the information available to him, stating, “He’s begun the process of eliminating teams and doing things… Juan is a very methodical thinker. So we’ll see. But I don’t think anything is imminent in the near future.”

As the leading player on the free-agent market this year, Soto boasts an impressive resume that includes four All-Star selections and a third-place finish in the American League MVP voting. During the previous season, he achieved a batting average of .288, hitting 41 home runs, driving in 109 runs, and recording 129 walks with the Yankees. Over his seven-year career, he maintains a .285 average with 201 home runs, 592 RBIs, and 769 walks.

Soto previously declined a lucrative 15-year, $440 million offer from the Washington Nationals in 2022, a decision that led to his trade to San Diego and, more recently, to the Yankees last December. He played a pivotal role alongside Aaron Judge in guiding New York to the World Series, although they ultimately fell short against the Dodgers.

Boras also addressed criticisms aimed at teams like the Yankees and Dodgers, which are often accused of “buying” championships due to their heavy spending. He quoted the late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, emphasizing that competition can take various forms. “Whatever you do to compete, the fact that I can compete in a different way than others, so be it,” Boras remarked. He added that the number of trophies a franchise has does not overshadow the fans’ perspectives on competition and success.