The Mets have always been the favorite to land Juan Soto in free agency this winter. Their owner, Steve Cohen, has the financial clout and all-in mentality to make Soto an offer that’s hard to refuse.

When it comes to money, Cohen could prove to be the biggest obstacle to Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and his ability to keep Soto this winter.

With the Winter Meetings on the horizon and offers coming in, another team is expected to emerge as a real threat to the Yankees in this Soto sweepstakes.

The Red Sox are “increasingly viewed as a legitimate contender” for Soto, Jon Heyman and Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post reported Tuesday. They called the Red Sox a “serious threat” to the Yankees.

“The word is they are redoubling their efforts to lure the superstar slugger away from their historic AL East nemesis,” Heyman and Sanchez wrote. “Sources say the Red Sox are looking to trade Soto to Boston – a fit both at Fenway Park and in the franchise’s history.”

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If the money is right, Boston could be a good fit for Soto. He would play in front of a rabid fan base, stay on the East Coast, benefit from the Green Monster in left field with his ability to go the other way, and he would be the latest Dominican superstar to play for the Red Sox. He would also have lineup protection from third baseman (and Yankees hitter) Rafael Devers.

However, Boston would have to convince Soto to win now and defend their championship title. This is, after all, the team that traded away Mookie Betts rather than sign him to a long-term contract in 2020. Additionally, they have only made the playoffs in one of the six seasons since winning the World Series in 2018. Would Soto really have a better chance of winning and playing for a perennial playoff contender if he signed with the Red Sox instead of the Yankees or Mets?

Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy confirmed Boston was pursuing Soto at owners’ meetings earlier this month. He also insisted they can afford the outfielder even with Devers’ $313 million deal on the payroll.

“Even if it gets us over the CBT,” Kennedy told the Boston Globe’s Michael Silverman, referring to the first threshold of the competitive accounting tax. “Our priority is 90 to 95 wins, winning the American League East and winning the division for several years.”

Boston, like the Yankees, was reportedly interested in Blake Snell before he signed with the Dodgers on Tuesday night. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Red Sox are now focusing on left-hander Max Fried.

Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media reported Monday that the Red Sox, Yankees and Mets are among the five teams that have made a contract offer to Soto so far.