If the New York Yankees want to keep great player Juan Soto, they will have to compete with the best teams and spend the most money in baseball.
The New York Mets, a crosstown rival, are perhaps the most notable of these challengers. Carlos Beltran, a nine-time All-Star who previously played for both the Yankees and the Mets, will join the Mets’ executive office in 2023.
During an interview with Puerto Rican tabloid “Primera Hora” on Wednesday, November 13, Beltran stated that the Mets plan to go “full blast” for Soto in free agency.
“The Mets want to improve the team, and there is no doubt that they will go after all of the players that are on the open market, knowing that the piece that everyone wants is Juan Soto,” Beltran stated, according to Tim Capurso of ON SI’s translation from the Spanish-language daily. “And the Mets [will] not rule out going full blast after him.”
Latest Juan Soto Salary Projections Top $700 Million, Shohei Ohtani’s Deal With Dodgers
Soto did not disclose precise numbers, but it is widely assumed throughout the league that he will seek upwards of (or potentially more than) $700 million on his next contract.
On Thursday, David Brown of Field Level Media anticipated that Soto’s new contract would be worth more than $700 million, with the Mets paying him that amount.
“Soto set himself up for the biggest payday in MLB history after batting .288 with a .419 on-base percentage and .569 slugging for the Yankees in 2024,” according to Brown. “And Soto didn’t turn 26 until October, when he helped the Yankees win their first World Series since 2009. Even if he does not reach $700 million, the value of his contract will almost probably exceed Shohei Ohtani’s substantially deferred agreement.
Brown’s final estimate included $702 million for Soto to stay in New York for 13 years, but to relocate from the Bronx to Queens and live at Citi Field.
Mets May Be Top Free Agent Destination in MLB This Offseason
According to Baseball Reference, Soto hit 41 home runs, had 109 RBIs, scored 128 times, and drew 129 walks this season. The slugger would be a huge addition to the Mets’ lineup, regardless of whether the team retains all of its top prospective free agents.
Aside from that, several pundits argue that the Mets have the stronger club and situation for all free agents this offseason, including Soto. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer ranked the Mets as the league’s best destination on Wednesday.
“Two years after winning 101 games, the Mets rebounded from a sluggish start in 2024 to win an MLB-high 61 games after Grimace threw the first pitch at Citi Field on June 12. Even though they did not make it to the World Series, they were perhaps New York’s finest club this season,” Rymer stated. “Pete Alonso, Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana are free agents, but there is no reason they cannot be re-signed or replaced. And, while the Mets’ farm system struggled this year, it has the potential to rebound in 2025 if Jett Williams and Ronny Mauricio remain healthy.”
