It sure sounds like Mets lead Juan Soto chase, per MLB insider
Mets could be leading the chase for the free agent slugger.
The Juan Soto sweepstakes are heating up. In the last week, the coveted slugger has taken meetings with the New York Mets, Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays, with more lined up in the coming days.
According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, the Mets are the likeliest landing spot for Soto.
Rosenthal told Scott Braun of Foul Territory that he believes Soto signing with the Mets is the "most likely scenario." Rosenthal believes that the goal of Soto and agent Scott Boras is to get the most money possible, and if that is the case, it is reasonable to believe that Steve Cohen would be the highest bidder.
Why the Mets make sense
It makes sense that Cohen would be the highest bidder. The Mets have close to 200 million dollars coming off the books this offseason, with free agents such as Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and James McCann all on expiring contracts.
The Mets are coming off a season that saw their first National League Championship Series since 2015. Adding Soto to pair with star shortstop Francisco Lindor and breakout star Mark Vientos would enhance the lineup, especially if first baseman Pete Alonso leaves in free agency.
Rosenthal does state that this doesn't mean that the Mets are going to sign Soto, but does state that "if I were a betting man, that's the way I would bet."
Fellow MLB insider Jon Heyman reported that the Mets met with Soto and Boras in California over the weekend, which seems to have gone very well. The Mets still have to make other decisions in free agency, most notably whether to re-sign Pete Alonso.
The MLB Winter Meetings begin in Dallas in three weeks. Time will tell whether or not Soto signs before, but we should see some more free agent signings in the coming weeks.