Yankees Identify Mets as Main Rival for Juan Soto in Free Agency
Juan Soto is focused on putting up superstar numbers with the New York Yankees before entering free agency in 2025 for a contract worth at least $500 million. While he desires to stay in the Bronx, his agent Scott Boras will make him available to the highest bidder, with the New York Mets being the most feared rival from the Yankee Stadium offices. General manager Brian Cashman and Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner want the player to sign a contract extension during the season to prevent their crosstown rivals, the Mets, led by Steve Cohen, from making an irresistible offer due to their economic power.
“The Yankees believe that their biggest competition for Soto in free agency will be the New York Mets,” said Jon Heyman of the New York Post. “With Gleyber Torres, Alex Verdugo, and Clay Holmes as free agents and having a club option on Anthony Rizzo, they will have huge flexibility,” he continued. “They are committed to having a payroll of $225 million, compared to the $255 million they had last winter, providing a lot of room.”
Soto started Sunday’s game with a .316/.414/.588 offensive line, 11 doubles, 3 triples, 15 home runs, and a 1.002 OPS, leading the American League in batting. “The chances of Juan Soto returning to the Yankees are very high. The management loves him, and so do the fans. I know there are doubts due to recent statements about the payroll cost, but I believe they will make an effort, just as they did in the past with Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole, which were very smart moves,” Heyman concluded.