The bidding war for sensational talent Juan Soto is underway. The New York Mets and New York Yankees are participating in the sweepstakes for Soto. It's no coincidence that both teams are in the battle for the one of the biggest stars to hit the free agency market. The last time both New York teams were involved in a bidding war was for Japanese star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto who was posted by NPB last offseason. Ultimately, both teams lost the bidding war to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The same could happen here with Soto as well. The 26-year-old slugger is coming off a good season during his time in the Bronx. The question is now is which team would land the future Hall of Famer. Would Soto come back the Bronx or would he leave for the crosstown rival Mets. You also have other teams as well that are in pursue for Soto as well including the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. If any of these teams mentioned land Soto, it would leave both New York teams no other choice but to bid each other for the other top free agents.
1) Pete Alonso
If there's one player that both teams should turn to should they lose the Soto sweepstakes, it's Pete Alonso. Both teams could use a power bat at first base since it's a position that needs to be filled in immediately. Pete is a homegrown player who has spent the last couple of seasons with the Mets. Playing with either team shouldn't be an issue as he has plenty of experience playing in a big market team. Alonso, 29, is coming off a solid season in Queens. This year he has produced a batting average of .240 along with 34 homers and 88 runs batted in.
Another thing to like about a player hitter like Alonso is that he hits well in the playoffs. This year we saw him come through in clutch moments whenever the Mets needed him. Right now, Alonso is looking for a contract closing in at $200 million. While the price tag is steep, it does reflect his value as one of the premier power hitters in the league. Signing Alonso would not only bring consistent offensive production but also provide a strong presence in the heart of the lineup. His ability to thrive in high-pressure moments makes him an ideal cornerstone for any team with championship aspirations