NEW YORK – The MLB Winter Meetings are officially underway, and the New York Mets are showing no halt in their offseason plans even after signing Juan Soto to a record-breaking $765 million, 15-year deal.
Cohen Special – Citi Field Suite
Multiple reports surrounding the details of the proposed offers from both the Mets and Yankees highlighted a key difference in the respective clubs’ sweeteners, which seemingly swayed the superstar outfielder to travel crosstown to Queens, most notably, the inclusion of a complimentary suite for Soto’s family. Aside from Hal Steinbrenner’s lower signing bonus ($60M) and the $760M, 16-year offer, it’s been reported that the Yankees would not budge on throwing in a suite for Soto’s family, standing on the precedent of Aaron Judge and Derek Jeter paying for theirs. The Yankees were willing to discount the suite, but it’s evident that wasn’t enough. Steve Cohen included a Citi Field suite and an assistant to help facilitate all that comes with that, without hesitation.
Juan Soto contract details: $765M, 15 years. $75M signing bonus (state tax advantage: Florida resident). about $120M overall pay 2025. No deferred $. Opt out after 5 years (age 30). Citi Field suite for family (est. value $500K plus plus a year) #mets
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2024
In-field Corners
David Stearns, the Mets’ President of Baseball Operations, spoke to the media on Monday regarding bringing homegrown first baseman Pete Alonso back. “We’d love to bring Pete back,” Stearns said. “Pete’s been a great Met. He had some enormous hits for us, and we’ll see where that goes.” Alonso is a homegrown favorite, and the consensus among Met fans is a desire for him to come back. A lineup anchored by Lindor, Soto, Alonso, and Vientos would be something special.
“I think our ownership has consistently demonstrated that there’s going to be resources when we need them,” Stearns said. “There is the ability for us to make baseball moves when we think they’re there to improve the team, and we’re going to continue to pursue a wide variety of areas to continue to improve our team.”
“We love Pete and we’ve been consistent about that throughout. Pete’s a really good Met and we’ll see where the offseason goes.”@SteveGelbs catches up with David Stearns on Mets Hot Stove: https://t.co/I5UMoLEHi2 pic.twitter.com/Pyw0nFOdtx
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) December 10, 2024
Alonso has been a pillar of the Mets organization since being drafted in 2016. Having made a historical debut in 2019 with 53 home runs, the most of any rookie ever, Alonso has consistently swung a heavy bat. He slashes a career .240/.329/.459 with 226 home runs, 781 hits, and 586 RBI. The Polar Bear has proven to be the go-to guy with exceptionally clutch moments in 2024. His ninth-inning three-run home run in Game Three of the NL Wild Card sent the Mets on an emotional (and frankly surprising) postseason run.
Alonso has been very vocal about his desire to stay in Queens but declined the one-year qualifying offer to test the market for a long-term deal. Alonso is projected to sign in the three to five-year range for upwards of $175 million. Regarding the prospective in-field corners and alluding to a priority of keeping Alonso to not shift Vientos from 3B, Stearns stated, “Mark did a tremendous job for us at third we’re very comfortable with him there.. And certainly as of now, we see him as our third baseman.”
https://t.co/O9Rrp34AYW pic.twitter.com/52ev23CRNG
— Gab (@gabrauc) December 11, 2024
Winter Meeting Targets
Pitching is still an area for the Mets to add some starters and bullpen arms, and the Mets are still heavily favored to land some of the highly sought-after free agents this offseason. Even with the addition of Soto’s AAV, the Mets could still sign multiple big names, including the beloved Alonso and LHP Sean Manaea, and still be exceptionally below their 2024 payroll. They could even push the envelope further to grab newly-posted RHP Rōki Sasaki, as it’s said that Mets’ Pitching Coach Jeremy Hefner is eyeing his development. Stearns said on Tuesday that the Mets would “certainly give it our best shot” after sending their presentation to his camp.
Roki Sasaki’s agency is “very high” on Jeremy Hefner’s ability to develop pitching, per @JimBowdenGM
Sasaki is said to be valuing endorsement opportunities, winning, and pitching development as he decides which team to play for, per Bowden pic.twitter.com/7h6dO8BGJd
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) December 10, 2024
The Mets have also shown interest in other arms to supplement new additions, such as Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas. For late-relief and set-up guys, there’s a potential for other bullpen support like free agent Tanner Scott. It’s been reported that the Mets have also checked on potential free agents Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty – Both available off exceptional seasons with 2024 World Series Champions LA Dodgers. Both right-handed pitchers come with a price tag, a projected multi-year deal, and maybe beyond Stearns’ inflated “one-to-two-year-try-out” approach. There is still potential for a reunion between the Mets and fan-favorite Jesse Winker for DH and outfield depth on a possible two-year deal. Stearns has previously expressed a priority in short-term signings, and it’s certainly not expected for him to deal away top prospects for a short-term stint. Alonso and Manaea are my hopeful re-signs; I’d love to have Winker back as well, and I certainly wouldn’t be mad at the addition of either Buehler or Sasaki.
There is “increasing optimism” on a potential Sean Manaea reunion with the Mets https://t.co/9VWBjMW4vF pic.twitter.com/Xbft45EZ0b
— SNY (@SNYtv) December 10, 2024
Players on Radar
- 1B Pete Alonso (30)
- Career Reg. Season Stats: .240/.329/.459 with 226 HR / 586 RBI
- Contract Projection: 5 Years / $175 Million (+)
- LHP Sean Manaea (32)
- Career Reg. Season Stats: 77-62 / 4.00 ERA / 1.20 WHIP / 8.43 K/9
- Contract Projection: 4 Years / $75 Million (+)
- RHP Roki Sasaki (23)
- Career Reg. Season Stats: 64 G / 2.10 ERA / 0.89 WHIP / 11.4 K/9
- Contract Projection: *Not long-term / Max $7,555,500
- LHP Tanner Scott (30)
- Career Reg. Season Stats: 31-21 / 3.56 ERA / 1.36 WHIP / 11.86 K/9
- Contract Projection: 4 Years / $65 Million
- RHP Walker Buehler (30)
- Career Reg. Season Stats: 47-22 / 3.27 ERA / 1.09 WHIP / 9.51 K/9
- Contract Projection: 2-3 Years / $40 Million (+)
- RHP Jack Flaherty (29)
- Career Reg. Season Stats: 55-41 / 3.63 ERA / 1.18 WHIP / 10.22 K/9
- Contract Projection: 3-5 Years / $75 Million (+)
- OF/DH Jesse Winker (31)
- Career Reg. Season Stats: . 276/.379/.462 with 95 HR / 324 RBI
- Contract Projection: 2 Years / $18 Million
