According to a report, a surprise American League team is emerging as a favorite to win the Juan Soto sweepstakes over the Mets and Yankees.

The free-agent market is expected to revolve around Soto. First baseman Pete Alonso, also a Boras client, could become a middle-of-the-order option for the Yankees should Soto sign elsewhere. The Mets, of course, remain in contention to re-sign Alonso.

This hasn’t been declared a two-team race, not yet anyway. The Blue Jays have enough cash on hand to be players for Juan Soto. The Phillies insist they are. The Dodgers are the Dodgers. And we are certain to be entertained by the annual appearance of “mystery teams” who come out to play whenever Scott Boras is shopping a client.