The Red Sox are reportedly in the process of signing free agent slugger Juan Soto — but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to get him to sign on the dotted line.

In fact, one MLB insider says they may have to overpay for the 26-year-old — or any other free agent, for that matter.

“One market factor that changes cyclically is the way some teams become preferred destinations for players while other teams lose ground in the perception game,” ESPN’s Buster Olney shared on Twitter (formerly X) Wednesday morning. “Boston is aggressive with dollars now, but the Red Sox need to pay more to overcome negative player perceptions that really grew when the team didn’t pay Mookie Betts.”

After drafting him and developing him into a premier MLB player, Boston traded Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong and Jeter Downs prior to the 2020 season. Since then, he has won two Gold Gloves and four Silver Sluggers and was named to the All-MLB First Team three times.

Oh yeah — and he led them to two World Series titles.

The Red Sox also let fan favorite Xander Boegarts leave after the 2022 season to reduce payroll. These decisions have resulted in them making just one postseason appearance in the last six seasons and finishing last in the AL East three times.

To combat this negative player perception, the Red Sox have reportedly increased their efforts to convince Soto to sign with them – a concern that includes his fit with the franchise, their history with Dominican players and his ability to succeed as a hitter , considered lefties at Fenway Park.

Looking for a deal potentially worth over $600 million, Soto has reportedly received offers from the Red Sox, Dodgers New York Mets and New York Yankees.

Boston was also reportedly in talks with lefty pitcher Blake Snell before he signed with the Dodgers on Tuesday.