The Juan Soto sweepstakes will dominate MLB offseason discussions. At just 25, the New York Yankees outfielder is set to secure one of the largest contracts in baseball history due to his age and outstanding performance.
However, only a limited number of teams will be able to meet his potential price tag. Teams like the Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and a few others have demonstrated the willingness to invest heavily in top-tier free agents in recent years.
Erik Beaston of Bleacher Report speculates the race for Soto could narrow down to the Yankees and Mets, pointing out what each team could bring to the table.
“The Yankees are a natural fit, given the chemistry between Soto and Aaron Judge, which helped the Bronx Bombers reclaim the AL East title in 2024. They’re one of the favorites for the league pennant,” Beaston wrote in a September 27 article predicting MLB’s top free agent signings. “Meanwhile, the cross-town Mets are serious contenders for Soto as they look to build on their incredible turnaround this season. His presence would further boost an already potent offense, and there’s space for him in the outfield alongside Brandon Nimmo.”
Beaston ultimately predicted that Soto would sign a “near-record deal” with the Mets.
Aaron Judge, who was in a similar situation before signing his nine-year, $360 million deal in 2022, has praised Soto’s professionalism, despite the pressures of free agency. Judge expressed admiration for how Soto impacts the game daily and remains focused on the team.
Should Soto remain with the Yankees, having Judge as a teammate could be a major factor. However, if the Mets offer a larger deal, such as $550 million compared to a $525 million offer from the Yankees, Soto might choose to switch to the Mets, especially given Mets owner Steve Cohen’s history of big spending. This makes Soto’s upcoming free agency one of the most intriguing stories of the offseason.