Where the Red Sox’s pursuit of Juan Soto stands as the winter meetings begin

DALLAS — As the baseball world descends on the Hilton Anatole on Sunday ahead of the annual Winter Meetings, there is a sense throughout the industry that Juan Soto’s free agency decision is imminent. And so far, there’s no reason to believe the Red Sox have been eliminated.

*** UPDATE: Soto has reportedly agreed to a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets ***

As of early Sunday afternoon, Boston is believed to remain in the mix for Soto with talks between the superstar and all interested teams stalling on a conclusion. It’s unclear whether final offers have been requested or submitted, though a person familiar with the negotiations said Sunday morning that all sides are “at an interesting point in negotiations.” At least some of the top officials of the Boras Corporation have already arrived at the hotel where the winter meetings are held. So have decision makers from virtually every team, including at least one high-ranking Red Sox official. By the end of Sunday, the entire baseball world will have arrived in Texas.

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An industry source described Boston’s efforts in the Soto pursuit up to this point as “an A+ effort.” But even if the Red Sox have beaten Soto at something the Aaron Judge-led Yankees and Francisco Lindor-led Mets can’t — as the undisputed face of their team, something the reserved Rafael Devers probably wouldn’t mind at all — there still a feeling that Soto will probably sign the largest total guarantee. The industry has long believed the Mets would make a Godfather offer to land Soto, no matter what it takes. But there is palpable fear among interested teams Sunday that the Yankees might be in the same boat, too. The Yankees, of course, offer Soto something the other interested teams (Red Sox, Mets, Blue Jays and Dodgers) can’t: familiarity and comfort after a successful first year in the Bronx.

Saturday night, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that both New York teams had increased their offers to $710-730 million dollars, rising past early winter expectations. Heyman noted that Soto weighed “five whopping bids,” suggesting that no one — including the Jays or Dodgers — had been ruled out. Details on the Red Sox’s latest offer are still scarce, but Heyman called it a “very competitive bid.”

In any case, baseball should have its answer very soon.