SAN ANTONIO – Juan Soto will take time to research the free agent market before signing with a team, according to his agent Scott Boras.

Boras said during general manager meetings Wednesday that Soto wants a “thorough” screening before making a decision.

“Because of the high interest and Juan’s desire to hear (from teams), I can’t put a timetable on it, but it will be a very thorough process for him,” Boras said. “He wants to meet people in person. He wants to talk to them. He wants to hear from them.”

That includes ownership, even the New York Yankees, for whom he played in 2024, hitting 41 home runs and scoring 128 runs in the league. Soto helped New York to a World Series appearance, but that doesn’t necessarily give the Yankees a leg up on the competition to sign him.

“He wants ownership that supports them winning every year,” Boras said. “Owners want to meet Juan and talk to him about what they are going to bring to their franchise, in the short and long term.”

Soto’s overall deal will likely be at least the second-largest in MLB history, behind Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Boras declined to compare the two players, but highlighted Soto’s age (26) as a differentiating factor in teams’ search for his client. Ohtani was 29 when he hit free agency.

“I don’t think Ohtani has much to do with Juan Soto,” Boras said. “It’s not something we discuss or consider. … He’s in an age range that separates him.”

Both New York teams have already spoken to Boras, although there are a handful of other major franchises that could be in line for his services, including the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays.

Boras was asked how the competitive balance tax on payrolls could affect Soto’s freedom of choice.

“I don’t think tax considerations are central when you’re talking about a business opportunity where you can literally make billions of dollars by acquiring someone like this,” Boras said.

Boras and Soto are only in the early stages of what could be a lengthy process. One thing Boras said goes for the player is that Soto is “pretty well known” as he has already been on three teams and played in 43 playoff games, including two appearances in the World Series.

In the eyes of his agent, any winning team should be interested.

“They are (team leaders) who are called upon to be championship magicians,” Boras said. “Behind every great magician is the magic Juan.”