The New York Mets have seemingly crept past the New York Yankees as the favorites to land coveted free agent Juan Soto in what’s making out to be a Hollywood competition between crosstown rivals.
Mets owner Steve Cohen was quizzed by local reporters on Monday evening if he had any updates. “What would be your message to fans who would love to see Juan Soto suiting up for the Mets?” he was asked.
The 68-year-old was fairly coy in his response, but made the situation as clear as can be – they either get their man or don’t.
“We’re gonna find out. It’s either yes or no, right? There’s no in-between and time will tell.”
- Juan Soto could join exclusive 162-player list as Yankees ‘biggest threat’ has ‘ability to pay’
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers confirm Rays will play entire 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field
USA Today insider Bob Nightengale reported on Monday that Cohen’s team is the “clear-cut favorite” to land Soto “because they don’t believe there’s a soul who will outbid owner Steve Cohen.”
The Mets owner handed star shortstop Francisco Lindor a 10-year, $341 extension in 2021 – the third-biggest in MLB history at the time. He also gave both Brandon Nimmo an eight-year, $162 million pact and Edwin Diaz a five-year, $102 million contract in the 2023 offseason.
With respect to Lindor, Soto is the bigger fish the Mets will have negotiated with in a long time – Soto figures to be in the market for a deal close to $700 million.
The 26-year-old outfielder was ranked by ESPN as the fourth-most valuable free agent since 1990, behind only Alex Rodriguez in 2000, Shohei Ohtani in 2023, and Barry Bonds in 1992.
Cohen is the richest owner in MLB with a net worth of $21.3 billion (
Image:
Getty Images)
Soto hit 41 home runs and tallied 109 RBIs in 157 games for the Yankees last season, slashing .288/.419/.569 with a .989 OPS and 7.9 bWAR. He upped his game to another level in the playoffs, mashing four long balls in 14 games while improving his OPS to a whopping 1.101.
His clutch three-run, 10th inning home run against Cleveland Guardians stud reliever Hunter Gaddis in Game 5 of the 2023 ALCS broke a 2-2 tie and sent New York to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
The Yankees are still keen to retain his services. However, owner Hal Steinbrenner failed to assure Yankee fans when asked about the team’s prospects of keeping their star outfielder.
Juan Soto keeps Yankees in the dark after ‘very honest’ meeting as $700M decision looms
MLB franchise offering season tickets for next 30 years in exchange for Paul Skenes playing card
“He’s definitely a significant part of why we got to the World Series,” he told reporters when asked last Wednesday. “I’ve got ears. I know what’s expected of me. So, look, it’s been a priority. We wouldn’t have gone out to the West Coast if it wasn’t.” When asked how confident of striking a deal with the Soto, he said, “No idea. We’ll be in the mix. I’ll leave it at that.”
Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay seemed glum when speaking about his team’s chances of re-signing the 26-year-old last week.
“I’ve heard from somebody in baseball today [Monday] that [Steve] Cohen’s willing to go $50 million over whatever anybody offers,” Kay admitted. “So it looks like the Mets really want to get this guy.”
Leave a Reply