Juan Soto, the 26-year-old superstar who electrified the New York Yankees in his debut season, could be poised to shake up the MLB landscape once again. After slashing an impressive .288/.419/.569 with a career-high 41 home runs and 109 RBIs during the 2024 regular season, Soto’s contributions were instrumental in propelling the Yankees to their first World Series since 2009, including a pivotal three-run homer in Game 5 of the ALCS.
Now, as free agency looms, the question dominating headlines is whether the Yankees can retain the generational talent—or if Soto will be lured away by rival teams offering astronomical contracts.
According to The Athletic’s Andy McCullough, the New York Mets are predicted to land Soto with a record-breaking deal, potentially the richest in MLB history. Mets owner Steve Cohen, known for his aggressive spending since acquiring the team in 2020, is seen as a formidable contender in this high-stakes bidding war.
“We looked like knuckleheads last year when our galaxy-brained take on Shohei Ohtani led us to forecasting him joining the Texas Rangers,” McCullough admitted. “No need to complicate things. Cohen has the deepest pockets. He will dip into them to sign Soto to the richest contract in baseball history.”
This sentiment was echoed by Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay on his ESPN New York radio show, where he highlighted the Mets’ potential to outbid any competitor.
The Boston Red Sox have also entered the conversation as serious contenders for Soto, adding another layer of intrigue to this developing saga. However, the Yankees’ front office, led by Brian Cashman, is determined to keep Soto in pinstripes and avoid losing him to a rival—especially their cross-town nemesis.
As speculation intensifies, Soto’s next move remains uncertain. Will he stay in the Bronx and solidify his legacy as a Yankee, or will he follow the money to Citi Field and rewrite baseball’s financial history? One thing is certain: the battle for Juan Soto is just heating up, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
