The Mets are making big moves this offseason, including signing Juan Soto, as they aim to build a championship-caliber team.
New York: The Mets are just getting started this offseason. They’ve already made some big moves, and it’s hard to believe they’d drop $765 million on Juan Soto without a solid plan in place. They’re looking to build a championship team, which means they’ll likely need to boost their starting rotation and bullpen, plus grab another big bat, probably at first base.
So, it’s a bit early to hand out grades for the whole offseason. But since Soto’s deal is such a game-changer, we’ll keep track of their trades and signings as we go along. That way, we can give a final grade later.
So far, they’ve made four major moves. First up is Juan Soto, who signed a jaw-dropping 15-year contract worth $765 million. That’s a lot of cash! It’s a huge deal, especially since it could balloon to $805 million in five years if the Mets decide to guarantee an extra $40 million. But hey, it’s worth it to snag a superstar like Soto at just 26 years old and to outbid the Yankees. The fans are loving it, especially after feeling like the underdogs in the city rivalry.
Now, the Mets need to win some championships to change that narrative. One superstar can only do so much, but if Soto keeps up his Hall of Fame pace, he’ll definitely help boost their chances.
Next, we have Clay Holmes, who signed a three-year deal for $38 million. The Mets are planning to try him out as a starter, which is a bit of a gamble since he’s only made four starts in the big leagues. He’s got a killer sinker and some serious speed, but he’s had control issues in the past. If it works out, they’ll have a solid starter at a good price. If not, they can always put him back in the bullpen.
Then there’s Frankie Montas, who signed for two years at $34 million. The Mets are hoping their new pitching lab can work some magic on him. He’s coming off shoulder surgery and had a rough season with a 4.84 ERA. But after being traded to the Brewers, he showed some improvement. The Mets think they can build on that and turn him into a reliable back-end starter.
Finally, they traded for Jose Siri from the Rays. He’s a solid defensive center fielder but doesn’t hit much. He’s got some power, with 25 home runs in 2023, but his batting average was pretty low. The Mets see him as a temporary fix in center field until one of their top prospects can step up. But both of those prospects had injury issues last season.