The Phillies now have to contend with Juan Soto, who just signed a staggering 15-year contract with the Mets, reshaping the NL East landscape.
Mets owner Steve Cohen, who’s worth over $20 billion, has been throwing money around since he bought the team in 2020. Everyone knew the Mets wouldn’t let Soto slip away, especially with the Yankees and Red Sox trying to snag him too. But who could really compete with Cohen’s deep pockets?
Soto’s contract is wild. It could go up to $800 million with incentives and has an opt-out after 2029. If the Mets add an extra $40 million, it could even hit $805 million. That’s just insane! Baseball has jumped past the $500 and $600 million contracts, with Soto and Shohei Ohtani leading the charge.
Soto’s annual salary is a whopping $51 million, which is more than double what Bryce Harper makes. Harper’s deal was the biggest ever when he signed, but if he had played the market right, who knows what he could have gotten? Soto had his pick of crazy offers, and it’s great for players to see contracts like this pushing the boundaries.
The Phillies were interested in meeting with Soto but probably realized they’d be outbid before they even started. Now, the Mets are looking pretty strong with Soto joining their lineup, which includes stars like Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo. But it’s not a guaranteed win; they still have some work to do.
This move shakes up the NL East and makes things even more competitive. The free-agent market is about to heat up, too. Teams that missed out on Soto will be looking for other options, like Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso.
For the Phillies, they need to focus on improving their offense. Center field is a big area to upgrade, and they also need some solid relievers and starting pitching depth. They might not make a splash like the Mets, but there’s still a lot they can accomplish at the Winter Meetings.