Guardians could surprisingly sign $560 million slugger who just sent them home

After Saturday night, Juan Soto is a name that will make Cleveland Guardians fans cringe with pain every time it is uttered.

Soto sent a three-run blast into the center field seats of Progressive Field on Saturday in the top of the tenth inning, effectively ending the Guardians' dream season with one swing.

Yes, Soto will forever live on as an epic Guardians-killer after the heroic homer, but what if Cleveland surprises the entire sports world this offseason and makes a monstrous offer for Soto on the free agent market?

It would be weirdly poetic for Soto to join the team he just eliminated and in doing so bring them one giant leap closer to the World Series.

Virtually all experts say Soto will end up back in New York (either with the Yankees or Mets), but there have been some whispers that Cleveland is in the running.

ESPN's Jesse Rogers recently discussed a Soto-Guardians fit.

"Cleveland can offer one thing those other teams can't: The fame of being a superstar, but with the anonymity of living in a Midwest city," Rogers said. "There will be pressure, but not the overwhelming kind experienced in New York -- and L.A. is really no different."

"Soto can be a part of a winner in Cleveland, and just like on those other teams, he would be paired with another great player in the lineup. Jose Ramirez is beloved by Guardians fans in a way few other players are by any fan base, and the Soto/Ramirez pairing can be just as magical as the Soto/Judge pairing was in New York this season."

"And if this duo can lead the Guardians to a World Series title, the franchise and the entire city will always remember Soto in a way that just doesn't exist in a big market such as New York or L.A."

"Sure, Cleveland's payroll pales in comparison with the rest of these teams', but that means there is room for a going-rate salary for a generational hitter, with the chance to use what has worked to get Cleveland this far to supplement the roster. And if you like competition, the AL Central is pretty darn fun these days."

Rogers makes an intriguing case for Soto to join the Guardians. The soon-to-be 26-year-old is expected to demand upwards of $560 on the market.

Could the New York teams somehow let Soto slip through their fingers this winter?

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