Free agent slugger Juan Soto has meetings scheduled with four teams this week in California, ESPN reported Tuesday.

While money is the ultimate perk of being a marquee free agent, there is much more to the decision than signing on the dotted line. Owners, front office members, managers and players make pitches for why their team and city are the best for a free agent’s long-term future.

At their year-end press conference in late September, members of Red Sox leadership said the wait had gone on long enough, and the time to get back in the game was now. It was a more pronounced statement of intent than in recent offseasons,

The Red Sox have signaled that they’re going to look for ways to drastically improve the club this winter. It now appears their interest in the top available player is enough for team officials to make a cross-country trip.