Why signing Juan Soto would change everything for the Mets
The Mets have a chance this offseason to change how the organization is universally viewed. Plus, David Stearns speaks and the latests Hot Stove rumors...
What’s Up with the Mets? 🍎
The Mets signed RHP Rico Garcia to a minor-league deal and will receive an invite to spring training
David Stearns spoke with reporters at the GM Meetings in San Antonio on Wednesday on a number of topics, including the fact that he travelled to Japan in September in order to scout RHP Roki Sasaki (read)
Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens are set to make up the catching tandem for the Mets in 2025 (SNY)
Agent Scott Boras revealed that he expects the Mets to “aggressively” pursue free agents this winter in order to achieve their goal of winning the World Series in 2025 (SNY)
Rumor Mill 💭
The Tampa Bay Rays are one of seven known teams to have checked in on free agent OF Juan Soto, including the Mets and the Yankees (NY Post)
Free agent LHP Sean Manaea has a “very, very vast market” early on in free agency (SNY)
The Giants and the Blue Jays are among the teams showing an interest in free agent INF Ha-Seong Kim (MLB.com / Sportsnet)
In an attempt to clear some cap space, the Astros have had internal discussions about trading closer Ryan Pressly (The Athletic)
Landing Juan Soto would change absolutely everything for the Mets… ✍️
Hot Stove season is officially underway and, as expected, Juan Soto is the headline act right out of the gate.
Seven teams have reportedly checked in on the free agent superstar already, with the Mets and the Yankees right at the front of the queue.
It is expected that the two New York teams will be the main contenders slugging it out for Soto this offseason, and the general consensus is that the four-time All-Star will end up in the Big Apple. It just remains to be seen whether Soto will be suiting up in Queens or in the Bronx.
The latest reporting from Andy Martino of SNY suggests that Soto enjoyed his time with the Yankees and will return if a fair offer is presented. However, on the flipside, there is a school of thought that the Mets would be willing to use all of their financial might to lure Soto to Queens if the top free agent on the market has a real interest in taking his considerable talents to Citi Field.
With all that said, there is no denying that should the Mets be successful in landing the top prize of the offseason, then it would change everything for this organization.
Absolutely everything.
First and foremost, it would send a clear message to the rest of baseball that the Mets are ready to become a serious and perennial World Series contender following a magical run in 2024. Signing Soto - one of the best and most exciting hitters in the game and in our generation - would help significantly bridge the gap between them and the Dodgers.
Landing a true superstar to pair with Francisco Lindor after opting not to go in hard on the Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge sweepstakes would also mark a considerable switch in mentality for the Mets. Owner Steve Cohen has clearly been building up to this day after purchasing the team four years ago, and signing Soto would indicate that the Mets have truly arrived as a force to be reckoned with.
With president of baseball operations David Stearns running the show, the Mets have the luxury of spending monster money on a true star like Soto, while still being able to add one or two other big free agents. It will then be up to Stearns to address other flaws on the roster by finding hidden value on the market. Something he excelled at in 2024.
But, more importantly, signing Soto to a blockbuster deal and making him the centerpiece of the entire organization would shift the baseball tides in the Mets’ favor significantly. Soto is exactly the type of uber-talented superstar that can propel the Mets to the top of the mountain and help change the entire reputation of a franchise.
Plus, by beating out their cross-town rivals to claim a generational hitter - and a possible future Hall of Famer - the Mets would all of a sudden be viewed as more than just the little brother of the Yankees. By outspending the storied Yanks, and significantly weakening their 2025 World Series chances in the process, the Mets would flip the script dramatically.
These Mets would no longer be considered the poor sisters of the rich in New York anymore.
Instead, they would leapfrog the big, bad Yankees as the new, sexier destination in town for future free agents. The Mets would seize the crown as the alpha dogs in New York baseball.
Signing Soto would clearly help morph the Mets into legitimate World Series contenders in 2025 and beyond. But, that huge statement of intent would also signal a seismic shift how this organization is viewed throughout the sporting world.
The Mets have a rare opportunity to change the baseball landscape this offseason, and finally close the gap on the Yankees. And making a major splash with one of the best hitters we’ve ever seen would go a long way to ensuring that happens.
Around the League 🚩
Free agent RHP Kyle Hendricks and the Angels are reportedly in agreement on a one-year, $2.5 million deal
C Austin Hedges is returning to Cleveland on a one-year deal as a backup for Bo Naylor (ESPN)
The Cardinals are planning to move Willson Contreras from catcher to first base / DH for the 2025 season (ESPN)
How can the Rays afford Soto? Will he play all the positions and pitch?
The Mets didn't get to the World Series largely because of their pitching. I would rather they get some pitching (including one or two big names for the starting rotation) and a somewhat less crazy expensive/long term big bat. Yankees had Soto & without such lame playoff competition (and the Orioles faltering) might have wound up the same place as the Mets.
I know the arguments for Soto. But, yeah, I won't be appalled if they don't get him.