The New York Mets have money to spend and a desire to be great.
Every major free agent to hit the market will be linked with them, for obvious reasons.
However, the frequency with which the industry, and insiders, are saying that they will pursue Juan Soto next offseason when he hits the market is notable.
Those who have been around Mets spring training camp seem convinced that not only they will go after him, but that he will play for the Mets starting from 2025.
WFAN and SNY’s Sal Licata is the latest name to link the two parties.
He seems sold on the idea that the generational talent will be a Met.
“I am convinced now more than ever that Juan Soto is going to be a Met next year,” he said, per SNY.
"I am convinced now more than ever that Juan Soto is going to be a Met next year" – @sal_licata https://t.co/fndeVsFln1
➡️ Tri-State @Cadillac pic.twitter.com/t4cTbM2YTd
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 6, 2024
Soto, who has a career .946 OPS, 160 home runs, and more walks than strikeouts, is one of the best hitters to become a free agent in recent memory.
The Mets, who will pay Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander (among others) to play elsewhere in 2024, will see Mad Max’s salary come off the books after the season.
That could pave the way for a historic bid that could prove impossible for other teams to match.
It is believed Soto will sign a contract in the neighborhood of $500-$530 million, and only certain clubs are capable of paying that.
The current New York Yankees star could be inclined to return to the Bronx if he likes his time there, but staying in another New York neighborhood is also another option.
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