It is anything but certain, but the New York Mets continue to be considered the favorites for Juan Soto’s signature this winter. A decision could potentially come within the next week to 10 days.
Steve Cohen’s deep pockets could potentially secure the 26-year-old, four-time All-Star in Queens for the next 13 to 15 years for a price tag exceeding $600 million.
Soto is the biggest prize in Major League Baseball’s offseason, and once his new home is figured out, the rest of the dominoes around the league will begin to fall. That includes the long-term future of the Mets’ homegrown product and slugging first baseman, Pete Alonso.
Both Soto’s and Alonso’s fates in Queens appear to be linked to each other. If the Mets sign Soto, it is far more likely that Alonso will go elsewhere in free agency. If Soto signs elsewhere, Alonso could sign a deal that keeps him in blue and orange for the remainder of his career.
The Mets would instantly become solidified National League pennant contenders if Soto agreed to call Citi Field home. A 1-2 punch featuring him and Francisco Lindor at the top of New York’s lineup would be one of the more formidable duos in all of baseball. Both he and Lindor were finalists for their respective leagues’ MVP Award in 2024.
Mets 2025 projected lineup with Juan Soto
- Francisco Lindor, SS
- Juan Soto, RF
- Mark Vientos, 1B
- Brandon Nimmo, LF
- Starling Marte, DH
- Jeff McNeil, 2B
- Francisco Alvarez, C
- Brett Baty, 3B
- Tyrone Taylor, CF
With Alonso out of the picture in this scenario, Mark Vientos becomes the everyday first baseman following his breakout 27-home-run season in 2024. That opens the third-base competition between Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio if the president of baseball operations, David Stearns, opts not to go outside of the organization.
But what if Soto stays in the Bronx? Or does he go a bit further north to the Boston Red Sox or Toronto Blue Jays?
Stearns would have to pivot and would have the money to spend to fill holes elsewhere on the roster.
Mets 2025 projected lineup without Juan Soto
- Francisco Lindor, SS
- Brandon Nimmo, LF
- Pete Alonso, 1B
- Mark Vientos, DH
- Willy Adames, 3B
- Starling Marte, RF
- Jeff McNeil, 2B
- Francisco Alvarez, C
- Tyrone Taylor, CF
Rather than spending $600 million on Soto, Stearns could sign Alonso for between $150 million and $180 million and bring in a former Brewers protege in Willy Adames to slide over from shortstop to third base on a seven or eight-year deal that should eclipse over $200 million.
The 29-year-old is reportedly open to a position change and would provide the Mets with a more well-rounded option at the hot corner. He has averaged 29 home runs per season over the last three years.
