Mets executive makes clear statement about team’s Juan Soto pursuit
Feb 25, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Juan Soto (22) smiles in the dugout against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets certainly do not appear to be shying away from their pursuit of Juan Soto.
Longtime Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, who currently works for the team’s front office, made clear that Soto is a priority for the Mets. Beltran made the comments to Joseph Reboyras of Primera Hora during a charity pickleball tournament in Puerto Rico, adding that the Mets are prepared to go “full blast” to land the prized free agent.
“The Mets want to improve the team and there’s no doubt they’ll go after all the players on the market, knowing that the piece the whole world wants is Juan Soto, and the Mets won’t hesitate to go after him full blast,” Beltran said, via Justin Tasch of the New York Post. “The owner of the Mets is one of the wealthiest in the game and he wants to win. When he says he wants to win, he doesn’t say it so the fans will get excited and go to the ballpark. Really, it’s something personal for him.”
Beltran’s point about Mets owner Steve Cohen is certainly tough to argue. Cohen is already taking an active role in the Soto pursuit, and one has to wonder if there is a ceiling to what he might be willing to pay.
The Mets and Yankees are viewed as the top suitors for Soto, though plenty of other teams are likely to launch their own pursuit. Few, if any, are being more openly aggressive than the Mets are at this point.
