Mets step into Juan Soto sweepstakes, Yankees face stiff competition

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Baseball star Juan Soto’s entry into free agency has sparked widespread interest, with reports indicating around a dozen teams, including the Mets, are exploring the chance to sign him. According to The Post’s Mike Puma, nearly a dozen of teams have shown interest in the outfielder and the Mets are among the teams that have already checked in on his free agency after the World Series ended on Wednesday.

The Yankees’ recent World Series loss to the Dodgers in Game 5 set the stage for Juan Soto’s potential departure, positioning him as one of the most coveted assets on the market. The Mets’ interest in the slugger fits their strategic priorities as they aim to bolster their lineup and have the financial clout to pursue such a high-profile addition. At 26, Juan Soto’s availability represents a rare opportunity for teams looking to add an elite-level talent.

When asked about a possible move to the Mets after what could be his final game with the Yankees, Juan Soto kept his options open, saying he was willing to consider any team’s offer without bias.

“I don’t know what teams are going to come after me, but definitely I will be open to this and every single team,” the Dominican OF said. “I don’t have any doors closed.” 

The Yankees have the option to extend a qualifying offer to Juan Soto worth $21.05 million for the next season. If he rejects it and signs elsewhere, the Yankees would receive draft pick compensation.

Although the Mets typically avoid players with qualifying offers due to their focus on strengthening their farm system, Juan Soto could be an exception. His standout 2023 season, where he posted a .288/.419/.569 slash line with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs, makes him an appealing target.

The Mets’ financial outlook has improved after clearing approximately $90 million from trading players like Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and James McCann mid-contract, giving them flexibility in pursuing Soto.

Experts anticipate Juan Soto could secure a record-breaking contract when factoring in present-day value. While Shohei Ohtani’s recent 12-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers set a nominal record, the agreement’s deferred payments reduce its current value to $437.4 million. These terms may allow the Dodgers to compete aggressively for Soto as well.

Yankees and Mets battle looms for Juan Soto

The end of the baseball season rarely marks a true break, and that was evident as Walker Buehler’s final strikeout against Alex Verdugo on Wednesday night wrapped up one chapter and set the stage for another. While the calendar reads November, baseball enthusiasts know it’s the beginning of what many are calling “Sotovember.”

The regular season showcased the Mets’ dominance over the Yankees in their four matchups, but it was the Yankees who went further, reaching their first World Series since 2014. Yet, those feats now feel like the prelude to the main story that’s about to unfold.

“Sotovember” signals the fierce bidding war expected to erupt, involving the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Phillies, possibly the Giants, and other surprise suitors—those unexpected contenders that Scott Boras, Soto’s agent, often leverages to intensify negotiations. This pursuit will redefine what it truly means to go “all-in.”

At just 26, Juan Soto’s performance in his contract year was exceptional, positioning him as a prime target with substantial future potential. Unlike Gerrit Cole, who famously showcased Boras Company gear after leaving Houston in 2019, Juan Soto took a more understated approach after the Yankees’ elimination. Speaking to the press, he carefully noted that all teams were on equal footing, offering no hints of preference.

Juan Soto’s reserved stance contrasted sharply with the loyalty once shown by icons like Joe DiMaggio. But with Boras guiding him—a master at maximizing client value, as seen with stars like Pete Alonso—The slugger’s diplomatic responses are a clear strategy aimed at keeping every team in the race and driving up the stakes in what promises to be an unprecedented offseason.

The chase for Juan Soto has officially ignited an unprecedented bidding war, drawing attention from across the league. Yet, the most intriguing battle may unfold between New York’s storied baseball rivals, setting the stage for a potentially era-defining moment.

Back in Aaron Judge’s free agency saga, Mets owner Steve Cohen opted for a measured approach, allowing the decision to narrow between the Yankees and Giants. This time, insiders predict Cohen will change course, likely positioning his opening offer as a formidable challenge for the Yankees to match.

This shift aligns with Cohen’s aggressive investment strategy since taking over the Mets, marked by high-stakes contracts like those given to veteran arms Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander and the substantial 10-year, $341 million deal with Francisco Lindor, now seen as a strategic win as it approaches its midpoint. Cohen even ventured a 12-year, $315 million bid for Carlos Correa before medical concerns halted the deal.

Securing Juan Soto represents Cohen’s greatest chance yet to wield his financial power to transformative effect. Drawing comparisons to Bobby Axelrod—a character reportedly inspired by Cohen—this pursuit underscores the notion of using exceptional wealth to make indelible statements.

This opportunity fits the high-risk, high-reward scenarios Cohen is known for, echoing another fictional tycoon, Gordon Gekko, who described wealth in terms that surpass the ordinary. In today’s baseball economy, those figures must be multiplied many times over just to make the opening bid.

As financial power, ambition, and the future of two franchises converge, the looming Soto sweepstakes may become the most consequential showdown in the history of New York baseball.

The Yankees are prepared to leverage their substantial financial resources in the upcoming battle for Juan Soto. While their spending power may not rival Steve Cohen’s deep pockets, they possess enough capital to remain competitive at the top tier of baseball’s financial landscape. The Yankees’ storied brand and legacy could play a pivotal role in tight negotiations, even with agent Scott Boras’s well-known stance against hometown discounts.

This bidding war is rare in the long history of New York’s baseball rivalry. Before last year’s push for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, direct competition between the Yankees and Mets for marquee free agents was almost nonexistent. The most notable example came in 1980 with Dave Winfield. Back then, under new ownership, the Mets showed strong interest, but their position was weakened by being years away from contention. Earlier this year, a similar gap in competitiveness appeared evident by June 3, but recent events have evened the playing field.

Historically, the Yankees have often held the upper hand in head-to-head competition with the Mets. This trend dates back to 1976 when free agency was first introduced. While George Steinbrenner fully embraced the new system, the Mets’ ownership at the time, the Whitney family, took a conservative approach despite their considerable wealth. This difference in strategy had lasting repercussions: as the Yankees surged back to prominence, the Mets suffered the loss of their star pitcher, Tom Seaver, who, in a twist of fate, later joined the Yankees’ broadcast team.

As the bidding for Juan Soto unfolds, these historical echoes remind both franchises of how high the stakes can be when competing for baseball’s most coveted talents.

The Yankees have long demonstrated a knack for acquiring former Mets stars, weaving a pattern seen with players such as David Cone, Darryl Strawberry, and Dwight Gooden, all of whom donned pinstripes after their time with the Mets. The saga of Alex Rodriguez in 2000 exemplifies this dynamic. Despite A-Rod’s well-documented desire to play for the Mets, the team never made an offer, leaving him to eventually join the Yankees in 2004, where he went on to hit 351 home runs—far surpassing the Mets’ franchise mark of 252, held by Strawberry.

Even when the Mets secured top-tier talent, the Yankees’ shadow often lingered. This was evident when the Mets signed Carlos Beltran, considered one of their greatest position players. The moment was somewhat overshadowed when Scott Boras disclosed last-minute efforts to involve the Yankees in those negotiations.

It wasn’t until last year that the Mets claimed a significant win in this rivalry, hiring Carlos Mendoza from the Yankees’ coaching staff. However, the stakes with Juan Soto are far higher. The Yankees have several elements in their favor: a rich tradition, a history of winning these showdowns, and a ballpark that fits Juan Soto’s hitting profile. These factors position them as frontrunners in the pursuit dubbed “Sotovember.”

Yet, the financial power of the Mets under Steve Cohen’s leadership adds a new layer of intrigue. Cohen’s resources could disrupt traditional dynamics, offering the Mets a chance to break historical trends and challenge the Yankees’ usual dominance in New York’s baseball market. The use of strategic, substantial investment may tip the scales in an unprecedented fashion in this high-stakes race.

Juan Soto heading for record-breaking deal

Industry projections indicate that Juan Soto‘s potential contract could reach or even surpass $700 million, notably without the extensive deferred payments seen in Shohei Ohtani’s deal with the Dodgers. Interest surged immediately after the Yankees’ World Series loss, with eight teams reportedly expressing interest within two hours, which expanded to eleven by the following morning. While formal contract discussions remain off-limits at this point, the $700 million mark has emerged as a baseline expectation.

Juan Soto’s time with the Yankees has been seen as mutually rewarding, with the team appreciating both his on-field performance and his demeanor. However, sources suggest that any long-term deal will hinge primarily on contract value and the team’s championship aspirations. Such an agreement could span 13 to 14 years, with the latter potentially marking baseball’s first non-deferred $50 million annual salary.

The Yankees have historically exercised caution with record-breaking deals, as seen in their negotiations with Aaron Judge, where they opted to match rather than surpass the Giants’ $360 million offer after considerable internal discussion. This has created some doubt among Soto’s camp regarding whether the Yankees are prepared to offer a groundbreaking contract to a non-homegrown star.

Despite that, the Yankees reportedly do not view Judge’s $40 million annual salary as a ceiling, focusing instead on maintaining their powerful right-left batting order. Insiders note that Judge prioritizes team success over retaining his title as the highest-paid Yankee. Meanwhile, Juan Soto has blended well into the team’s environment, despite his measured stance about possible future teams.

Competition for Juan Soto is fierce. The Mets, backed by Steve Cohen’s financial clout, and the Dodgers, boosted by revenue generated from Ohtani’s signing, are seen as major threats in the bidding war. Both teams have the resources to make a substantial play for Soto, even with the Yankees maintaining their position as the league’s revenue leader.

Interest in Juan Soto is spreading beyond traditional heavyweights, with the Giants, Blue Jays, and Red Sox likely to enter the fray, joined by surprising contenders from smaller markets. Some teams are focusing on offering Soto the chance to be their marquee star, contrasting with teams in New York and Los Angeles, where established icons like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani command attention. However, sources say this approach holds little sway in Juan Soto’s decision-making process.

New York’s teams could benefit from proximity advantages, which reportedly concern the Dodgers, but historical patterns show that Juan Soto’s choices go beyond geographical preferences. Insiders report that significant strides had been made on a potential deal with San Diego in 2023 before owner Peter Seidler’s illness and passing halted those discussions.

Though the details of the Padres’ proposed agreement remain undisclosed, sources close to Juan Soto indicate that its substantial value now acts as an informal benchmark. After a standout season with the Yankees, where Soto hit 41 home runs and posted a .989 OPS, it’s suggested that any offers falling below that previous mark could be met with disinterest.

One teammate hinted that Juan Soto holds unmatched negotiating leverage. The challenge of eclipsing Ohtani’s record $700 million deal—worth $437.4 million in present-day value after deferrals—seems feasible, largely due to Juan Soto’s age. Having just turned 26, this youth factor is pivotal in assessing his market potential and the length of any new contract.

After the Dodgers secured their World Series title, Juan Soto adopted a neutral tone when discussing his future, underscoring that every interested team would be evaluated equally in the forthcoming negotiations. He stressed that his decision would hinge on the opportunities presented and the commitment each organization showed in acquiring him.

While Juan Soto refrained from expressing an outright preference for the Yankees, insiders note he had a largely favorable experience in New York. Those close to him describe his positive outlook and careful approach, citing his appreciation for the team’s atmosphere and a strong rapport with leader Aaron Judge.

Reflecting on his time with the Yankees, Juan Soto spoke highly of the city and the franchise, while firmly stating that he would keep his options open. He made it clear that any potential contract would be meticulously assessed before making a decision.

While past free agency stories have had surprising turns, such as Alex Rodriguez’s unexpected move to Texas, an associate familiar with Juan Soto’s thinking points to the Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers as the frontrunners. This aligns with these teams’ combination of competitive potential and financial clout.

The insider’s take highlights the practical perspective that these three franchises have both the resources and stability needed to land a star of Juan Soto’s caliber, though the final decision remains up in the air.

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