"Mets are in a better position" - MLB analyst says Steve Cohen can lure Juan Soto with $50,000,000/year deal and Corbin Burnes, Willy Adames arrivals
Juan Soto is the biggest name in the free agent market, which comprises Alex Bregman, Teoscar Hernadez, Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames among others. The biggest question in the offseason is where Soto will sign after his one-year stint with the New York Yankees.
On Sports Nation Nightly, MLB analyst and sportscaster Scott Braun said the Mets have a better chance to land Juan Soto than the Yankees, who the oddsmakers favor. Braun listed several reasons why Mets owner Steve Cohen has the edge over Hal Steinbrenner.
"I think he [Steve Cohen] can go beyond, payroll-wise, what the Yankees would do," said Braun [1:10]. "But also, if you look at the payroll flexibility that the Mets have right now, they're taking around $150 million off the books.
"So, I think it would be kind of easy for them to go, "Okay, Soto, $45,000,000–$50,000,000 a year potentially"; unless they sign him for a longer-term deal that cuts down the average annual value to make it fit even better," Braun added.
He believes they could persuade Soto with a substantial deal and the potential arrival of other free agents in the market.
"The Mets might be able to say to Soto, 'We're going to give you the most money, and we're going to sign Corbin Burnes, one of the top pitchers on the market, and maybe a Willy Adames to also help you on the offensive side.' So, I think the Mets are in a better position right now to sign him if they want him, and I think they do," said Braun [1:37].
Former Marlins President on Steve Cohen's plans with Juan Soto
The Yankees have a rich history in the MLB. According to former Marlins President David Samson, the Mets have a 'second class citizen' status in New York. Samson found it similar to the LA Lakers - LA Clippers situation in the NBA.
The former MLB executive believes Steve Cohen wants to change the narrative, and Juan Soto is central to the plan.
"Steve [Cohen] wants to change that [second class citizen narrative], and he wants Juan Soto to be the son of that change; the center of that change," Samson said. [2:46].
The Yankees have played in 41 World Series, winning 27 while the Mets have only played in five, winning two.