The New York Yankees have increased their bid to re-sign Juan Soto amid reports that he is set to join cross-town rivals the Mets.
Soto is currently a free agent after spending last year with the Yankees, who suffered a World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
As many as five major teams are believed to be in the running to sign the left-hander this offseason, including the Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, as well as the two New York teams.
However, on Tuesday, ex-Mets player Carlos Baerga claimed that Soto has agreed to join his former team in a stunning $700 million deal.
Baerga wrote on social media: “Well my people, these messages come directly. I think Juan Soto will sign with the NY Mets and it’s about 700 million, my people.”
Yet according to the New York Postthe Yankees aren’t going down without a fight.
The Yankees have increased their bid to re-sign Juan Soto amid the race for his signature
In recent days, last season’s World Series finalists are said to have upgraded their initial offer to bring Soto back in 2025 and beat the Mets to his signature, despite recent talks 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 focused solely on re-signing him .
No offers have yet been made to Burnes or Fried, who are likely seen as backup options if the 26-year-old chooses to move elsewhere.
Teaming up with Aaron Judge in an explosive lineup, Soto was extremely popular at Yankee Stadium – a reputation he would immediately destroy if he moved from the Bronx to Queens.
But if Baerga is right, the Yankees should now turn their focus to rebuilding their roster for 2025.
One player they could root for is a former Met. First baseman Pete Alonso is also in free agency after his Citi Field contract expired 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 to Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
The Mets overcame a brutal start last season — they had the third-worst record in MLB in early June — to reach the NLCS, where they were defeated by the Dodgers in six minutes.
Soto has already agreed to move to Citi Field and join the Mets, an ex-MLB player claims
But the Yankees are hopeful that the left-handed star will agree to return next year
If Carlos Mendoza were to win free agency’s biggest prize, it would be a big statement.
Soto toyed with his fans earlier on Tuesday by sharing a video on Instagram with the caption: “The announcement you’ve been waiting for.”
But actually it was Soto who announced a deal to promote a drink. However, Yankees fans looking for hope that Baerga is wrong 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, the 2009 World Series winner with the Yankees, responded with three-eyed emojis to the post, which also received a like from Soto.