Ken Rosenthal Reveals 'Likely' Winner Of Juan Soto Sweepstakes
There's no bigger free agent this MLB offseason than Juan Soto. The All-Star slugger is expected to sign a massive deal after putting up excellent numbers for the New York Yankees.
In his only season with the Bronx Bombers, Soto had a .288 average with 41 homers and 109 RBI. In Game 5 of the ALCS, he crushed a go-ahead three-run homer in extra innings that eventually sent the Yankees to the World Series. Although they were unable to get the job done, it was very clear they wouldn't even be there without him.
Despite how vital Soto was to the Yankees' success this season, there's no guarantee he'll return to the Bronx for the 2025 season.
In fact, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal said the "most likely scenario" for Soto is that he signs with the New York Mets. That's because their owner, Steve Cohen, is willing to spend top dollar.
"That is, to me, the most likely scenario," Rosenthal said. "Now, as I said on Fair Territory yesterday, strange things happen in free agency. You don't always anticipate where a player might go.
"It just seems to me that Scott Boras' goal, Juan Soto's goal is to get the most money, to make a precedent-setting deal. It's why he turned $440 million from the Nationals a few years back - to get to the open market and establish his true value. So, who's the guy best positioned to give him that? In my view, it's [Steve] Cohen. If I were a betting man, that's the way I would bet."
Rosenthal isn't the only MLB insider keeping a close eye on the Mets. MLB Network's Jon Morosi is fairly confident that Soto will play in New York next season. He's just not sure which team from the Big Apple will win the sweepstakes.
"The fundamentals here still tell me he's going to play in New York, for either the Yankees or the Mets," Morosi said.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 26: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees watches his solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning during Game Two of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay doesn't expect the team to offer more than $50 million per year to Soto.
The Mets, on the other hand, seem more than willing to pay that price.
