Is Soto to the Mets the most likely outcome?

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Nov. 20: Is Soto to Mets the most likely scenario?
Will Mets owner Steve Cohen’s checkbook end up being the difference in the Juan Soto sweepstakes? The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal certainly sees it that way.

Appearing on the Foul Territory podcast on Tuesday, Rosenthal said he thinks that Cohen outbidding the other competitors to land Soto is “the most likely scenario.”

"It just seems to me that [agent] Scott Boras' goal [and] Juan Soto's goal is to get the most money, to make a precedent-setting deal," Rosenthal said. "That is entirely their right, that's what Soto worked for. That's why he turned down $440 million for 15 years from the Nationals a few years back -- to get to the open market and establish his true value.

"Who's the guy best positioned to give him that? In my view it's Cohen."

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman echoed that opinion Wednesday in his live chat for Bleacher Report.

"As we sit here today, I'd make the favorite the Mets," Heyman said. "Steve Cohen is there. I think they had a very good meeting. I think Soto probably believes long-term they're going to be in great shape, [though] the roster doesn't look great right now."

Although the Soto sweepstakes reportedly hasn’t gotten to the offer stage yet, the possibility exists that Cohen will simply refuse to be outbid. Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay said on his radio program on Monday that he heard from a source that Cohen is willing to beat any other club's offer to Soto by $50 million.

Nov. 19: Mets acquire Siri from Rays
The Mets have acquired center fielder Jose Siri from the Rays for reliever Eric Orze. Siri will presumably fill the center-field vacancy left by free agent Harrison Bader. More >

Nov. 19: Alonso, Manaea, Severino turn down QO from Mets
The Mets extended the qualifying offer to three players who were instrumental to the team reaching the NLCS this season: first baseman Pete Alonso, left-hander Sean Manaea and right-hander Luis Severino.

None of the three accepted the offer prior to Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline. Alonso, Manaea and Severino will remain free agents, and if they end up signing with another club, the Mets would receive Draft pick compensation. More >

Nov 16: Mets have met with Soto (report)
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports in an article for the New York Post that the Mets met with Soto in Southern California on Saturday. He noted that "all early signs suggest the meeting went extremely well," and that owner Steve Cohen and other "high-ranking Mets officials" made the trip. That includes president of baseball operations David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza.

Sources told Heyman that the meeting was a "big production" and "very detailed." The Mets are reportedly the third team to meet with Soto, following the Red Sox and Blue Jays. The Yankees are scheduled to have their meeting with Soto on Monday, per Heyman. It isn’t known whether official contract offers are being made during these talks.

According to an another New York Post article by Heyman (subscription required), some reasons the Mets have a real shot at landing Soto include timing, location and the opportunity to be the “face of the franchise.” With $150 million coming off the books for the Mets this offseason, the time could be right for Steve Cohen and Scott Boras to strike on another deal. Cohen and Boras have history, and previously sealed deals on contracts for Brandon Nimmo, Max Scherzer, Sean Manaea and J.D. Martinez in recent years.

Joining the Mets would also offer Soto “face of the franchise” status, which is something that would be hard to pull off with storied franchises like the Yankees and Dodgers, whose histories are packed with Hall of Famers and whose current rosters have mega-stars like Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. An East Coast team could appeal to Soto, who is a resident of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and the Dominican Republic, to put him closer to his family. Heyman also wrote that “teammates suggest [Soto] may prefer tranquility to bright lights (though if true, it’s probably only slightly calmer in Queens).”

Nov. 15: Beltrán: Mets ready to go 'full blast' to sign Soto
Former Mets star Carlos Beltrán, who now serves as a special assistant to president of baseball operations David Stearns, spoke with reporters Wednesday during a charity pickleball tournament in Puerto Rico (per Primera Hora) and said he thinks the team is ready to go "full blast" to sign superstar free agent Juan Soto.

The Mets are one of the teams reportedly planning to meet with Soto in Southern California. Soto has already met with at least one team: the Boston Red Sox.

Given the deep pockets of owner Steve Cohen, the Mets have long been viewed as one of the top contenders to land Soto. But as MLB Network insider Jon Heyman wrote Thursday in an article for the New York Post (subscription required), there are several other potential factors that could give the club an advantage in the Soto sweepstakes.

One of those factors is the relationship between Cohen and Soto's agent, Scott Boras -- they have completed several major deals in recent years, including contracts for Brandon Nimmo, Max Scherzer and J.D. Martinez. Another factor that Heyman highlights is the fact that the Mets have around $150 million coming off the books this offseason, creating even more financial flexibility in Queens.

Heyman also notes that the rival Yankees, who are the incumbents in this race, may have a limit on what they're willing to offer Soto, which could be another edge for the Mets.

Nov. 11: Mets among teams with reported interest in Walker
The Mets are expected to make a serious push to sign Juan Soto this offseason, but even if they're able to land the outfielder, they'd still have an opening to address at first base, with Pete Alonso also a free agent.

Given owner Steve Cohen's vast financial resources, signing both Soto and Alonso can't be ruled out, but it's more likely that the Mets will try to pair Soto with a lower-cost first baseman. One potential option? Christian Walker, who is four years older than Alonso and thus should come with a much lower price tag.

Indeed, the Mets are among the teams planning to "aggressively pursue" Walker, according to a report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

Walker doesn’t have quite the same power as Alonso, but he’s no slouch with the bat, having recorded 95 homers and an .813 OPS for the D-backs over the past three seasons. In that same time, Alonso has produced 120 homers and an .826 OPS.

Walker, meanwhile, is a far better defender, winning three straight Gold Gloves and leading his position with +38 Outs Above Average since the beginning of 2022. Alonso has produced -17 OAA in that span.

Nov. 9: Mets showing interest in trading for Crochet (report)
According to a report in the New York Post, the Mets are "discussing" Crochet, who is one of the most likely players to be traded this offseason.

It would stand to reason given that three of New York's starters from 2024 -- Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana and Luis Severino -- are free agents. Though the Mets are certainly in position to spend big this offseason, Crochet would be considerably cheaper in his remaining arbitration years than spending toward the top of the free agent pitching market.

Nov. 6: Signing Soto and Alonso seen as possibility for Mets
Juan Soto and Pete Alonso might be the two best bats on the open market this winter. Could they be teammates by the start of the 2025 season? It's not out of the question, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.

Heyman said during his Wednesday chat on Bleacher Report that he thinks the Mets are ready to spend big this offseason, saying they could afford to sign Soto and Alonso as well as a notable starting pitcher.

"The Mets are going big fly this winter," Heyman said. "I don't think there's any question about that."

Heyman adds that the Mets are interested in several pitchers, including the two to whom they gave the qualifying offer: Sean Manaea and Luis Severino.

"I can see [the Mets] signing one or both of them," Heyman said.

The Mets also extended the qualifying offer to Alonso, which would pay him $21.05 million for the 2025 season if he accepts it. However, he is widely expected to decline the QO by the Nov. 19 decision deadline.