SAN ANTONIO — The Mets are said to be a “serious” pick for Yankees star free agent Juan Soto, which is no surprise.
Meanwhile, the Yankees have checked in on Mets star free agent Pete Alonso, and while they have legitimate interest in Alonso, this is Soto's backup plan and Plan A for both teams.
Alonso is a big star, but in this case he's just a very interesting secondary story. The battle between New York and New York over Soto looks like it will be a battle royale this winter. The Yankees have some obvious advantages, but so do the Mets.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner was an early supporter of Steve Cohen as a buyer for the Mets, and Steinbrenner knew he might one day compete with the newly deep-pocketed Mets for a major star. It should have been. And that day is now here. No one knows yet, but no one would be surprised if the Mets end up being the high bidder for Soto.
The Yankees owed Soto a very good 2024 season (including the World Series) and are rightly being portrayed as the favorites to win this winter's mega-derby, but the Mets Considered authentic by the Yankees (and probably everyone else). threat. Cohen successfully avoided a run from Yankees superstar Aaron Judge a few years ago. But politeness is not needed here.
The Yankees certainly have the advantage (more than anyone else) with history and a larger fan base, but the Mets have more than just deep pockets. They made it to the NLCS and actually won one more game than the Yankees vs. Dodgers.
Soto said all 30 teams have a chance after losing to Los Angeles in Game 5 of the World Series. So why not the Mets? (For the record, at least 11 teams are said to have participated, although the Yankees have always viewed the Mets as their biggest obstacle.)
Soto also made it clear that winning (along with possibly a contract) is his top priority. And another advantage the Yankees have is that they have a great Judge batting behind Soto, whom he loves. No one can match this unless the Dodgers rebuild their lineup. The Mets have a rising star in Mark Vientos, but will that be enough? Could Soto and Alonso end up being a package deal for the Queen's team?
Yankees GM Brian Cashman told reporters here Tuesday that he had confirmed Alonso. They have legitimate interest, but a person familiar with the situation told the Post that in addition to Alonso, Anthony Santander and Alex Bregman, star pitchers (Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell and Max Freed) are all part of Plans B and C. and/or D in case Soto does not return to the Bronx. Soto is estimated to be worth more than $600 million, and the Yankees could theoretically sign three (or more) star players if they don't get him.
The Yankees certainly have a good chance of acquiring either of New York's two stars (though some say it would be wiser to look for a left-handed hitter if the Yankees lose Soto) maybe). But even if a New York team were lucky enough to land two New York stars, it wouldn't become the Bronx Bombers.
