The place is Juan Soto going?
It’s a query that started circulating lengthy earlier than final season ended, and on the cusp of MLB’s greatest offseason occasion, the winter conferences, it nonetheless has not been resolved.
Soto’s reply pertains on to the Mets, whose offseason will largely be formed by what the All-Star outfielder decides. Soto’s market contains the Mets, Yankees, Crimson Sox, Blue Jays and Dodgers, based on business sources.
The Put up’s Jon Heyman reported Saturday that the Mets and Yankees have submitted bids within the $710 million to $730 million vary.
Because the conferences start informally on Sunday in Dallas, the Mets might be hoping a solution is close to, permitting staff officers to form the remainder of their offseason.
Final winter the Mets needed to watch for Shohei Ohtani (whom they by no means severely pursued) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (whom they courted closely) to achieve selections earlier than choosing a path. Each stars in the end landed with the Dodgers
Now the Mets await Soto.
The hunt for Soto leads the listing of issues to search for with the Mets on the winter conferences. Listed here are 4 others:
Speaking turkey with Alonso
A decision on Soto’s standing will enable the Mets to show towards one other of Scott Boras’ large purchasers, Pete Alonso.
In a standard offseason — one and not using a participant of Soto’s magnitude available on the market — Alonso’s free company could be garnering lots of the headlines domestically.
However all has been quiet on the Alonso entrance for the reason that Mets performed their ultimate sport in October and the primary baseman once more expressed his need to stay in the one group he’s recognized.
Right here’s the query: Would Soto touchdown with the Mets improve or lower the likelihood Alonso returns?
On one hand, Cohen would have already spent a staggering amount of cash to deal with the lineup and will place Soto between Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos, with attainable shorter-term options obtainable for first base.
The flip aspect is should you signal a participant of Soto’s caliber, why not increase the keenness degree to the hilt by bringing again a fan favourite who hit 37 homers final season?
Ending the rotation
The Mets will look so as to add at the least one, if not two, beginning pitchers to finish a rotation that has added items in latest weeks.
Frankie Montas (two years, $34 million) and Clay Holmes (three years, $38 million) are two low-risk additions the Mets are including to Kodai Senga and David Peterson.
Others within the combine embrace Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn and Jose Butto.
It might be stunning if the Mets seemed towards Corbin Burnes or Max Fried — one other starter in that weight class, Blake Snell, acquired a five-year contract price $182 million from the Dodgers — however the staff might look towards others trying to rebuild worth, resembling Walker Buehler or Mike Soroka.
Sean Manaea emerged as an ace within the second half of final season for the Mets, however he may very well be taking a look at a contract nicely north of the deal his former rotation-mate Luis Severino (three years, $67 million) acquired from the A’s final week.
Commerce discuss
The Mets have been concerned in a single commerce of be aware this offseason, buying Jose Siri from the Rays final month as primarily Harrison Bader’s substitute in heart subject.
May the Mets discover a deal for pitching or a possible DH with out sacrificing prime prospects?
The X issue could be the place Starling Marte, coming into the ultimate 12 months of his contract, may match if the Mets have been to amass Soto.
The Mets might look to deal Marte and add a lower-cost fifth outfielder behind Soto, Brandon Nimmo, Tyrone Taylor and Siri.
Brett Baty’s future with the Mets in all probability hinges upon whether or not Alonso returns.
In a state of affairs during which Alonso re-signs, Mark Vientos would stay at third base, possible squeezing out Baty.
However the Mets nonetheless might retain Baty at Triple-A and look to construct his commerce worth.
Reduction in sight?
Final winter the Mets gave free-agent offers to Adam Ottavino, Jorge Lopez and Jake Diekman and none actually labored out. Lopez and Diekman didn’t even end the season with the staff.
However Stearns excelled in constructing the bullpen all through the course of the 12 months, including items resembling Phil Maton and Ryne Stanek.
Edwin Diaz, Reed Garrett and Butto (if he’s not utilized as a starter) are recognized commodities within the bullpen and acquainted faces resembling Sean Reid-Foley and Dedniel Nunez are working again from accidents.
The staff has signed a slew of relievers to minor league offers this offseason, however there’s definitely a necessity for at the least one or two established arms.
Tanner Scott is the highest free-agent reliever obtainable and would give the staff a dynamic lefty to pair with Diaz.
Or possibly the Mets would take into account a reunion with ageless David Robertson, coming off a advantageous 12 months with Texas in what has been an excellent main league profession.
Blake Treinen and Paul Sewald are different intriguing names.
