NEW YORK METS: Ross Atkins  willing to let Blue Jays be leverage for…

NEW YORK METS: Ross Atkins  willing to let Blue Jays be leverage for…..

It seems you’re asking about Ross Atkins, the general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, and his potential willingness to use his team as leverage in the trade talks for Juan Soto, particularly with the New York Yankees and New York Mets. Let’s break this down:

Ross Atkins, who has been the Blue Jays’ general manager since 2016, has shown that he’s willing to make bold moves to improve the team. However, his approach to the Juan Soto situation seems to be more strategic than simply making a direct push for the superstar outfielder. The 25-year-old Soto, who is one of the top hitters in MLB, is likely to be one of the most sought-after players if the San Diego Padres decide to trade him. With Soto under contract through the 2024 season (with the possibility of one more year of control via arbitration), his trade market is hot.

If Atkins is “more than willing” to let the Blue Jays be used as leverage for the New York Yankees or Mets, it suggests that he is open to playing a supporting role in the trade talks. This could involve either helping to drive up Soto’s value through a potential bidding war or positioning the Blue Jays to step in if either of those big-market teams falls short in their pursuit of Soto. Essentially, the Blue Jays may not be the front-runners for Soto, but Atkins could use his team’s resources to ensure that the price tag for Soto stays high—benefiting the Padres and potentially forcing the Yankees or Mets to offer more than they might have initially intended.

For example, the Yankees and Mets, both with deep pockets and top-tier farm systems, would likely be the most aggressive suitors for Soto. If Atkins is willing to step back and allow the trade conversation to revolve around those two teams, he could be positioning the Blue Jays as a contingency plan. This would give him the chance to enter the race if the price for Soto becomes favorable or if the Padres show a willingness to include other assets that Toronto covets.

In the end, while the Blue Jays may not be the primary suitor for Soto, Atkins’ savvy could allow the team to either swoop in as a dark horse contender for his services or leverage the situation to benefit from a larger-than-expected return for any other assets the Padres may want to move.

Would you like me to elaborate on how the Blue Jays might make a play for Soto, or any other details on their trade strategy?