On Saturday, the Mets made their case to free agent slugger Juan Soto in Orange County, California.
The highly anticipated meeting was received well by Soto’s contingent, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, who wrote that “the Mets presentation was a ‘big production’ and ‘very detailed,’” on Saturday.
Mets owner Steve Cohen brought along a group of “high-ranking officials,” including president of baseball operations David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza. They walked away from the meeting feeling good about their chances of landing the biggest prize of the offseason.
“One person suggested the Mets are ‘hopeful’ — and maybe even optimistic — about their chances to win easily the biggest prize of this free-agent class,” Heyman wrote.
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The Mets are believed to be duking it out with their crosstown rivals, and Soto’s former team, the Yankees, as well as the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Dodgers for Soto, who is seeking upwards of $600 million. The Amazins have a favorable financial outlook, making them an attractive option for the 26-year-old outfielder.
The Mets enter the offseason with approximately $150 million in commitments, about $190 million less than their payroll at the end of the 2024 season. With the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) at $241 million for the 2025 season, the Mets have just under $90 million to spend on arbitration-eligible players and free agents before taking a luxury tax hit.
There’s also the fact that Cohen isn’t afraid of what’s been billed as the “Cohen Tax.” He’s the richest owner in the sport and what better time to flex his earning muscle than now, when the Mets are legitimate World Series contenders.
The Yankees, on the other hand, have projected commitments of $237 million for next season, according to Cot’s Contracts, giving them less salary flexibility.
There’s also the question of ownership. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is much more conservative than his father, George (aka “The Boss”) and has already warned that the 2025 payroll can’t be $314 million like it was this year.
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Manny Gómez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com.
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