Superstar outfielder Juan Soto will not be a free agent until after the 2024 season, but it looks like he is already thinking about possible landing spots for when he hits the open market.
Earlier in the week, Soto posted a picture of himself training on Instagram with the caption: "Nobody cares, work harder." That's when a fan commented saying: "500 million dollar man. Queens is waiting," referring to the Mets. In response, Soto liked the fan's comment, which is now stirring up speculation on his future.
Soto was traded by the Washington Nationals to the San Diego Padres in a mega deal at the 2022 trade deadline.
Soto is under contract with the Padres for two more seasons, but once he becomes a free agent he will likely receive a record-setting contract in the neighborhood of $500 million.
Soto will be 26-years-old when he hits free agency, which means he could draw a deal of 10-years or more.
Mets billionaire owner Steve Cohen has already shown a willingness to be aggressive when going after superstar players.
Whether it be offering a $315 million contract to Carlos Correa, or gearing up to bid on two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani next year, Cohen will spend whatever it takes to make the Mets winners.
Could Cohen go after Soto following the 2024 season? Time will tell. But if the Mets don't land Ohtani, It's almost certain that they will be in on Soto when he hits the open market in a few years.
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