Latest absurd Juan Soto rumor proves Yankees' offseason circus is off to early start

When the New York Yankees' season ends, megastar Juan Soto will be the most coveted free agent this side of Shohei Ohtani. That makes him the most coveted free agent in the game's history who isn't into deferrals.

He can like as many social posts as he wants about staying a Yankee for life. Clearly, a very large part of him would enjoy doing so, if that's the outcome this process reaches. It's going to take a boatload of coin, though, and he'd like to dance with everyone in the room first.

If you believe the rumor mill -- in this case, "Soto's buddy" who spoke to NJ Advance Media -- that dance floor includes the Toronto Blue Jays, who both attempted to trade for the slugger this past offseason, and struck out on Ohtani (they had a restaurant reservation and everything).

Be careful with what you read online as this process unfolds, because based on what we've got in front of us on Oct. 9, this is about to get very annoying.

Yankees Rumors: Toronto Blue Jays preparing massive offer for Juan Soto, of course!

Smash cut to the Blue Jays accidentally signing Mr. Wonderful for $550 million.

I, too, am "weighing" an astronomical offer -- but you didn't hear that from me! Oh, no, I told it to a friend, who heard it on a phone call with me, and if I do all that weighing and decide not to make an astronomical offer ... well, then, that's life!

I reject the proposition that the Blue Jays constitute a "surprise team," in this situation. All they do is weigh astronomical offers. They rarely extend them to the parties involved, and if they do, they're typically outfoxed by other teams, but they make a real meal out of weighing them.

Every team should have significant interest in Soto this offseason -- he's an extremely talented baseball player who'd help remake any locker room in need. The Washington Nationals, who couldn't figure out how to keep him happy in 2022, would reportedly welcome him back. Kevin Long and the Philadelphia Phillies might need a playoff spark as they slide further back down the moving walkway after a '22 World Series appearance. The San Francisco Giants will certainly send Buster Posey down to the showcase floor at the Winter Meetings to discern whether or not Soto is a big enough Sergio Romo fan to take a $150 million discount.

For now, though, give me the Mets and Yankees and show me what they're weighing.