Report: Person Close To Juan Soto Expects Him To Leave Yankees For Rival Team
11/06/2024 12:31 PM
The Juan Soto sweepstakes is underway.
Following a spectacular 2024 season with the New York Yankees, the 26-year-old outfielder is poised to receive a massive contract this offseason. The Bronx Bombers will try to retain the four-time All-Star, who steered them to their first American League pennant since 2009 after hitting a career-high 41 home runs with a .989 OPS. However, the Yankees are expected to receive competition from their cross-town rivals.
According to MLB insider Héctor Gómez, a source "very close" to Soto predicted that he'll leave the Yankees for the New York Mets. That person also thinks Soto will exceed the historic $700 million contract Shohei Ohtani signed last year.
"I would be very surprised if the Mets don't sign him in free agency," the source told Gómez. "The talks are based around the fact that he could become the highest-paid player of all time."
Following the World Series, Soto said he's open to playing anywhere for the right offer. Yet the stage is setting for a potential bidding war between the Yankees and Mets.
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported a "wide-ranging belief" within MLB that Soto's decision will boil down to the two New York teams.
"He knows the Yankees well after spending a year there, and Steve Cohen has enough money to give him whatever he wants if he decides he wants him badly enough," an AL executive told Feinsand. "It's tough for me to see Soto winding up anywhere else."
The Mets have opened their pockets since Cohen purchased the team in 2020. They had MLB's highest payroll ($317.8 million) last season, but approximately $185 million is coming off the books.
Following an unexpected run to the National League Championship Series, the Mets could make a seismic splash by poaching Soto from the Yankees.
"I know they want to win," Yankees manager Brian Cashman said of the Mets, per SNY's Alex Smith. "They're in a large market with us. They had a taste of success this year, and they want to move the needle even more forward. So, the best way to do that is to import quality players to what you already have."
Related: Juan Soto Predicted To Land $700 Million Contract In Free Agency
