Avalanche of Red Sox-Juan Soto rumors becoming insufferable for Yankees fans

The Juan Soto sweepstakes are very much alive and well, and reports have suggested the superstar slugger could sign before the Winter Meetings, which take place Dec. 8-12. The New York Yankees remain in the mix and reportedly upped their offer after their first attempt.

All of the Mets, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers have made offers as well, and it's safe to say Yankees fans might be most worried about the Sox given their payroll flexibility and top-rated farm system. The Mets remain a concern because of Steve Cohen's financial arsenal (that we've yet to see fully utilized).

But Soto remaining in the division and signing with the Yankees' most hated nemesis would be absolutely gut-wrenching and unacceptable. That would mean war, and it would foster a decade-long disdain that this rivalry has arguably never seen.

And though Yankees fans won't live and die by the unconfirmed rumors linking Soto to the Red Sox, it's still infuriating to hear, and it's even more insufferable listening to Boston fans think they're about to seal the deal and try to make an argument for a franchise that's fallen out of favor (and the fanbase attempted to boycott before 2024 Opening Day).

During Thanksgiving weekend, though, the Soto-Sox rumors have intensified and Yankees fans are better off just closing their social media apps. Thank goodness for Jeff Passan, who emphatically dunked on the speculation.

Red Sox fans believe they've already signed Juan Soto away from the Yankees

Nonetheless, it's still riled up Red Sox fans to the point where some are wondering how the Yankees can "sell" Soto on their franchise history, with one suggesting New York just "fumbled" the easiest path to the World Series of all-time. Hey buddy, they made the World Series. They lost to the best team in MLB. What are you talking about? What even is this argument?

Here go Red Sox fans again. This team has spent like a lowly mid-market team since 2017, yet it's all of a sudden believable that John Henry and Fenway Sports Group have a 12-year, $650 million offer on the table? We know that the Red Sox might have been saving their big splash for the last two free agency periods given the top talent, but it's another "we'll believe it when we see it" situation.

Also, how can Red Sox fans think it's a foregone conclusion Soto can be sold on their situation? They've made the playoffs once since their 2018 World Series win and have treated various franchise icons (Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Jon Lester) like second-rate citizens. Does that seem like a destination that will be nice and cozy for the next 12-15 years? Why would it all of a sudden be different for Soto?

Hey, it can all change. We're not ruling it out. But the influx of untrustworthy reporting/buzz has now mobilized a delusional fanbase during what's already a stressful offseason. Yankees fans don't need this right now, so continue to enjoy the weekend with your families. We'll see you at the Winter Meetings.