MLB execs see Juan Soto sweepstakes coming down to Yankees or Mets: Report
As Juan Soto and one of the most hyped free agent sweepstakes in recent memory approaches, one prominent MLB insider reports that the superstar will wind up in New York when it’s all said and done.
It will just come down to which New York team Soto is a part of in 2025.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, high-ranking league executives believe that Soto’s free agency will come down to either the Yankees or Mets, and it will be a battle in the Big Apple to see who lands a generational talent for the long haul.
Both teams desperately need Soto, as his impact has been felt immediately and profoundly in the Yankee lineup, and the Mets have shown a need for a prolific bat in the middle of the lineup, especially with Pete Alonso’s future unclear. The Yankees have the advantage in familiarity, as Soto has been enjoying a career year in the Bronx in 2024, and the presence of Aaron Judge, who offers Soto a level of protection that he will not be able to find elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Mets have the richest owner in the sport, by far, in Steve Cohen, who could be motivated to make a major splash as his team continues its quest to become contenders.
The big question will likely be Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner’s willingness to shell out a record contract to Soto, who many believe will command over $500 million. Steinbrenner has publicly expressed a desire to get the team’s payroll numbers down, but the Yankees did give up prospect capital to trade for Soto, which would seemingly suggest a willingness to make him a lifelong Yankee.
Regardless, Soto’s free agency will likely be the top MLB storyline of the offseason, and fans in New York will be craving updates daily.
