Juan Soto‘s free agency has ignited widespread speculation about his future in Major League Baseball. While many anticipate his return to the Yankees, recent developments suggest a potential shift to the Mets, adding a new layer to the offseason narrative.
Mets’ pursuit of Juan Soto
Reports indicate that Juan Soto is scheduled to meet with the Mets’ General Manager in the coming week. However, as noted by Chris Kirschner on X (formerly Twitter), such meetings are standard practice for free agents and do not necessarily signal an imminent signing. Players often engage with multiple teams to assess their options thoroughly.
Jon Heyman has reported that, in addition to the Mets, five other teams—including the Dodgers and Red Sox—are actively pursuing Juan Soto. This widespread interest underscores Soto’s value and the competitive nature of this offseason’s free agency market.
The New York Post has highlighted the Mets’ strong interest, with owner Steve Cohen planning a trip to Southern California to meet with Soto and his agent, Scott Boras. This proactive approach demonstrates the Mets’ commitment to securing top talent. Other team owners are also expected to meet with Boras and Soto in the coming weeks, indicating a highly competitive bidding process.
The Yankees’ stance on Juan Soto’s free agency remains somewhat ambiguous. General Manager Brian Cashman has suggested that Soto’s familiarity with the organization from the previous season might eliminate the need for additional meetings. However, Cashman also emphasized that the Yankees are open to meeting with Soto as many times as he desires, indicating their continued interest in retaining the star outfielder.
Scott Boras and potential meetings
Scott Boras represents several high-profile free agents this offseason, including Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, Alex Bregman, and Pete Alonso, who is seeking a long-term deal to return to the Mets. Given this, it’s plausible that Cohen will take the opportunity to discuss multiple clients during his visit to Boras’ complex, potentially influencing the dynamics of the free agency market.
Steve Cohen has established a reputation for actively pursuing top free agents. Last offseason, he traveled to Japan with Mets’ President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, to meet with pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Although Yamamoto ultimately signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers, Cohen’s efforts marked a significant moment where both New York teams were heavily involved in courting the same star player.
With the Dodgers also likely to be major players in Juan Soto’s market, a fierce bidding war could ensue. The Mets are keen to avoid the disappointment of losing another high-profile free agent to the Dodgers, adding intensity to their pursuit of Soto.
At 26, Juan Soto is anticipated to command a contract approaching or even surpassing the $700 million over 10 years that Shohei Ohtani received last winter. Ohtani’s heavily deferred deal has a present-day value of $437.5 million.
However, Scott Boras has emphasized that Ohtani’s contract isn’t a direct comparison for Juan Soto’s situation. “I don’t think Ohtani has much to do with Juan Soto at all,” Boras stated at the GM Meetings. “It’s not something we discuss or consider. Juan Soto is in an age category that separates him from all others.”
Cohen and Boras have a history of high-stakes negotiations. Before the 2022 season, Cohen was involved in talks that brought Boras client Max Scherzer to the Mets. He also participated in negotiations for Brandon Nimmo’s new contract and the ultimately unsuccessful deal for Carlos Correa, which fell through due to medical concerns.
Juan Soto earned $31 million with the Yankees this season and is expected to seek a multiyear deal exceeding $600 million. Boras has stated that Soto prioritizes winning and has requested to meet directly with team owners.
When asked about Juan Soto’s experience with the Yankees, Boras emphasized the player’s commitment to winning.
“I think playing in New York was very comfortable for Juan,” Boras said. “He really enjoyed his teammates and the Yankee experience. Juan loves winning. His journey from Washington to New York was influenced by a desire for ownership that supports winning annually, especially given the challenges faced in San Diego due to Peter Seidler’s illness.”
As the offseason progresses, the competition for Juan Soto’s signature is expected to intensify, with multiple teams vying for the opportunity to add the star outfielder to their roster.
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