New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto, who is set to become a free agent, is reportedly being eyed by the New York Mets as a potential target. This move would significantly impact the Yankees, drawing concern from within their front office.
An executive shared their thoughts on the potential switch, stating, “Going from the Yankees to the Mets … that’s a buzzkill.”
At just 26 years old, Soto is already a four-time All-Star. Last season, he led the American League with 128 runs scored, alongside impressive stats that include 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, and a .989 OPS. His postseason performance has also been notable, highlighted by a three-run homer in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, helping the Yankees secure their first AL pennant in 15 years.
Soto joined the Yankees last offseason in a high-profile trade with the San Diego Padres. Following his outstanding regular season and playoff contributions, he is projected to receive one of the largest contracts in MLB history, potentially approaching $600 million, as reported by Jon Heyman earlier this month.
Mets owner Steve Cohen has demonstrated a willingness to invest heavily in the team’s roster, leading MLB in payroll for the past two seasons. As the Yankees consider their own budget constraints, there are questions about their ability to compete with the Mets in a potential bidding war for Soto.
Heyman speculated that while the Yankees hope to retain Soto, owner Hal Steinbrenner may be inclined to manage payroll limits, possibly conceding in a bidding contest to Cohen.
There are expectations that the Mets will aggressively pursue Soto, who is likely to attract attention from other teams as well, including the San Francisco Giants and potentially his former team, the Washington Nationals. Soto previously declined a 15-year, $440 million offer from the Nationals, a decision that is poised to pay off as he seeks a more lucrative contract this offseason.