SAN ANTONIO — The Mets’ full court press on Juan Soto is about to start.
With it appearing increasingly more the free-agent slugger is a priority for the team this offseason, Mets owner Steve Cohen plans to travel to Southern California next week to fulfill with Soto and his agent Scott Boras, based on industry sources.
Several other owners are expected to fulfill with Boras and Soto in the approaching weeks. It’s unclear if that features Hal Steinbrenner — Yankees GM Brian Cashman recently said it’s possible Soto’s familiarity with the organization from last season might preclude a gathering.
But Cashman also added that the Yankees would meet with Soto as repeatedly because the free agent wants.
It’s possible Cohen will meet with other Boras free agents throughout the owner’s visit to the agent’s complex.
Boras’ stable this offseason includes Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell and Alex Bregman. Boras also represents Pete Alonso, who’s searching for a return to the Mets on a long-term deal.
Cohen has been an energetic participant within the hunt for top free agents during his stewardship.
Last offseason he traveled to Japan with president of baseball operations David Stearns to fulfill with pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Later within the offseason Cohen hosted Yamamoto and his contingent for a banquet at his home. The suitable-hander ultimately signed a 12-year deal price $325 million with the Dodgers.
Yamamoto’s courtship represented the primary time in several years each the Yankees and Mets heavily pursued a star player in free agency. Now they’re battling for a second straight offseason.
The Dodgers also figure to be a consider Soto’s free agency, which may lead to an all-out tussle for the outfielder because the Mets look to avoid the frustration of losing one other premier free agent to the organization they aspire to change into.
Soto, 26, may very well be in line for a contract that approaches or surpasses the $700 million over 10 years that Shohei Ohtani received last winter. Ohtani’s heavily deferred deal has a present-day value of $437.5 million.
“I don’t think Ohtani has much to do with Juan Soto in any respect,” Boras said this week on the GM Meetings. “It’s not something we discuss or consider. Juan Soto is in an age category that separates him from all. So comparability just isn’t while you do these items for these young players.”
Cohen and Boras actually aren’t strangers with regards to negotiations. Before the 2022 season, Cohen was involved within the talks that landed Boras client Max Scherzer with the Mets.
The next offseason Cohen was involved with negotiations on Brandon Nimmo’s recent contract and the failed deal for Carlos Correa. Within the latter case the Mets, after agreeing to terms with the All-Star infielder, wanted to scale back amount of guaranteed money resulting from concerns over his medicals. Cohen and Boras never found common ground and Correa signed with the Twins.
The Mets have significant money that got here off the books after this season, with $90 million alone in dead money removed following the departures of players corresponding to Scherzer, Justin Verlander and James McCann in the midst of their respective contracts.
SAN ANTONIO — The Mets’ full court press on Juan Soto is about to start.
With it appearing increasingly more the free-agent slugger is a priority for the team this offseason, Mets owner Steve Cohen plans to travel to Southern California next week to fulfill with Soto and his agent Scott Boras, based on industry sources.
Several other owners are expected to fulfill with Boras and Soto in the approaching weeks. It’s unclear if that features Hal Steinbrenner — Yankees GM Brian Cashman recently said it’s possible Soto’s familiarity with the organization from last season might preclude a gathering.
But Cashman also added that the Yankees would meet with Soto as repeatedly because the free agent wants.
It’s possible Cohen will meet with other Boras free agents throughout the owner’s visit to the agent’s complex.
Boras’ stable this offseason includes Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell and Alex Bregman. Boras also represents Pete Alonso, who’s searching for a return to the Mets on a long-term deal.
Cohen has been an energetic participant within the hunt for top free agents during his stewardship.
Last offseason he traveled to Japan with president of baseball operations David Stearns to fulfill with pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Later within the offseason Cohen hosted Yamamoto and his contingent for a banquet at his home. The suitable-hander ultimately signed a 12-year deal price $325 million with the Dodgers.
Yamamoto’s courtship represented the primary time in several years each the Yankees and Mets heavily pursued a star player in free agency. Now they’re battling for a second straight offseason.
The Dodgers also figure to be a consider Soto’s free agency, which may lead to an all-out tussle for the outfielder because the Mets look to avoid the frustration of losing one other premier free agent to the organization they aspire to change into.
Soto, 26, may very well be in line for a contract that approaches or surpasses the $700 million over 10 years that Shohei Ohtani received last winter. Ohtani’s heavily deferred deal has a present-day value of $437.5 million.
“I don’t think Ohtani has much to do with Juan Soto in any respect,” Boras said this week on the GM Meetings. “It’s not something we discuss or consider. Juan Soto is in an age category that separates him from all. So comparability just isn’t while you do these items for these young players.”
Cohen and Boras actually aren’t strangers with regards to negotiations. Before the 2022 season, Cohen was involved within the talks that landed Boras client Max Scherzer with the Mets.
The next offseason Cohen was involved with negotiations on Brandon Nimmo’s recent contract and the failed deal for Carlos Correa. Within the latter case the Mets, after agreeing to terms with the All-Star infielder, wanted to scale back amount of guaranteed money resulting from concerns over his medicals. Cohen and Boras never found common ground and Correa signed with the Twins.
The Mets have significant money that got here off the books after this season, with $90 million alone in dead money removed following the departures of players corresponding to Scherzer, Justin Verlander and James McCann in the midst of their respective contracts.
