As we start closing in on the end of the regular season, that means we are drawing closer to the beginning of the offseason, which figures to be an entertaining one with star outfielder Juan Soto’s free agency leading the way.
Soto is in the midst of a terrific first season with the Yankees in which he’s already popped a career-high 37 homers with a month left, to go along with a league-leading 109 walks and a stellar 1.027 OPS.
The 25-year-old has been everything the Yanks could’ve asked for and so much more, forming a dynamic duo at the top of the lineup with captain Aaron Judge, while also providing above-average defense in right field.
Still, Soto is expected to test the open market for the first time in his career this offseason, and he’s certainly going to get paid.
Whether or not that’ll be from the Yankees remains to be seen, but they’ll be facing some stiff competition from around the league, particularly from their crosstown rivals in Steve Cohen’s Mets.
High-ranking front office and ownership level sources recently told ESPN’s Jeff Passan that at the end of the day, that’s exactly how they believe things will play out over the course of these sweepstakes.
The Mets were able to sweep all four games of the Subway Series from the Yankees this season; will they be able to pull out one more victory this offseason?
If you ask star shortstop Francisco Lindor, he certainly hopes so.
“When it comes to the outfielder from across the borough, he’s having a fantastic year," he told Passan. "I hope he goes out and breaks every record out there when it comes to getting paid. If it’s with us, it’ll be fantastic, he’ll help us a lot.”
The Mets’ offense has been strong for the most part this season with their MVP candidate Lindor leading the charge, just imagine how lethal this group could be with another star talent like Soto hitting behind him.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner made it clear earlier this offseason that wants to keep the young outfielder in pinstripes for the remainder of his career, and his performance certainly hasn't changed those intentions.
With Cohen at the helm, though, the Mets will always be among the contenders for the top of the line free agents and it appears their clubhouse leader is in favor of taking a swing at the prize of the market this offseason.