Morash says Mets losing out on Juan Soto to Yankees would be better for them in long run
The Evan and Tiki crew spent much of Tuesday's show pondering the future of Juan Soto, who remained guarded when asked about his uncertain future at the All-Star festivities.
Evan wants to see the Mets make an all-out push for the soon-to-be free agent, but Morash wondered if the Mets losing out on Soto to the Yankees would actually be better for Steve Cohen and company in the long run.
"It's going to benefit the Mets in the long run because the Yankees are gonna bow out on everybody over the next five years," Morash said. "And the Mets probably build a better team than the Yankees if [the Yankees] sign Juan Soto.
"What is a better team next year? The team of the core we know next the Mets to be right now, adding - let's just throw two guys out there right now - Alex Bregman and Corbin Burnes. Or they add Jan Soto and nobody else, lose Alonso. Or the Yankees adding Soto, losing Gleyber - no big deal - but adding nobody else in the next five years. Give me the stock of the Mets in that spot."
Hal Steinbrenner has publicly declared that payroll needs to come down, meaning a $500 million contract to Soto likely won't leave much room for other impactful additions. But Evan wouldn't want to hear that consolation if the Mets don't get Soto, because Soto isn't your typical free agent.
"I'm not gonna tell you on Dec. 10, 'You know what, the Yankees kept him, the Mets made a huge bid, but really, this is a victory for the Mets.' I completely disagree with that point," Evan said. "It's a spin because most free agents are past 30…and they're not the best investments. This player is different.
"I will promise you this, and you can save the tape. I will never spin - for the Yankees or anybody else- 'You know what, you're better off not keeping or signing Juan Soto, because you can use your money elsewhere. On what? Thirty two-year-old free agents who might be good in the short term, but won't live up to the long-term nature of a guy who is 26 years old?"
