The New York Mets are heavily linked to New York Yankees superstar Juan Soto in free agency this offseason. Soto, naturally, is the crown jewel of free agency that every team would love to land.
But MLB insider Jim Bowden recently projected Soto to sign back with the Yankees in a deal worth north of $600 million.
For the Mets, they would then have quite a lot of money to spend on the rest of the free agency class — and that’s exactly what Bowden projects them to do.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 20: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets reacts as he takes a foul ball off his foot during Game Six of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
“The Mets focus on starting pitching in free agency and manage to sign both Corbin Burnes and Max Fried to long-term contracts while also bringing back first baseman Pete Alonso, dropping more than half a billion in future salary commitments to land the trio,” Bowden wrote.
While signing Soto would change the outlook of any franchise in the league, signing this trio of stars would arguably be even better.
Alonso slashed .240/.329/.459 with an OPS+ of 123, 34 home runs and 31 doubles in 2024. He’s long been one of the best sluggers in the game.
Fried posted a 3.25 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP in 2024. The southpaw threw over 170 innings and posted a 3.5 WAR on the campaign.
Burnes was one of the best pitchers in the entire league. He tossed 194.1 innings with a 2.92 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 3.4 WAR on the season.
Netting this trio of stars to come to the Big Apple and help Francisco Lindor lead the team back to the playoffs in search of a World Series title would arguably be better for their franchise than just landing Soto.
More MLB: Could Phillies’ Top Prospect Fill Fifth Starter Spot In 2025?
