The New York Yankees have increased their bid to re-sign Juan Soto amid reports that he is on the verge of joining city rivals the Mets.
Soto is currently a free agent after spending last year with the Yankees, who suffered defeat in the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
As many as five big-market teams are believed to be in the running to sign the left-hander this offseason, including the Dodgers, the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays as well as the two New York outfits.
On Tuesday, however, ex-Mets player Carlos Baerga claimed Soto has agreed to join his former team on a staggering $700million deal.
Baerga wrote on social media: ‘Well my people, these messages are coming directly. I think Juan Soto will sign with the NY Mets and it is about 700 million, my people.’
Yet according to the New York Post, the Yankees aren’t going down without a fight.
In recent days last season’s World Series finalists are said to have upgraded their initial bid to bring Soto back in 2025 and beat the Mets to his signature, despite recently staging calls with star free agent starters Corbin Burnes and Max Fried among others.
Regardless, Soto – who hit 41 home runs, posted a .989 OPS and finished third in the MVP voting last season – remains their top target by some distance with Yankees officials solely focused on re-signing him.
No offers have yet been made to Burnes or Fried, who are likely seen as backup options should the 26-year-old opt to go elsewhere.
Partnering Aaron Judge in an explosive lineup, Soto was hugely popular at Yankee Stadium – a reputation he would instantly trash with a move from the Bronx to Queens.
Though if Baerga is correct, the Yankees must now turn their focus on rebuilding their roster for 2025.
One player they could go for is a former Met. First baseman Pete Alonso is also in free agency after his Citi Field contract ran out and the Yankees need a replacement for Anthony Rizzo.
But make no mistake, Soto joining the crosstown rivals in New York would be a huge blow for Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
The Mets overcame a brutal start last season – in early June, they had the third-worst record in MLB – to reach the NLCS where they were beaten by the Dodgers in six.
Should Carlos Mendoza land the biggest prize of free agency, it would be huge statement.
Soto toyed with his fans earlier on Tuesday by sharing a vide on Instagram captioned: ‘The announcement you have been waiting for.’
But it was actually Soto announcing a deal to promote a drink. Yankees fans looking for hope that Baerga is wrong, however, will find it in the comments section of Soto’s latest post.
Soto liked a comment on the post that said: ‘Juan – you’re stressing me out! New York wants you here #Yankeesforlife #pinstripepride’.
Johnny Damon, a 2009 World Series winner with the Yankees, commented three eyes-wide-open emojis on the post which also got a like from Soto.
