The New York Mets made the most significant move of the MLB offseason by landing superstar Juan Soto, but that move did not come without a considerable cost.
The Mets agreed to a 15-year, $765 million deal with Soto, making him the second highest-paid baseball player of all time. Yet, not everyone agrees this deal will work out for the Mets.
Erik Kratz Thinks Juan Soto Deal Could Be a Problem
Former MLB catcher Erik Kratz believes the amount of money being paid to Soto could cause the team issues in the future. Soto as a player is unquestionable, but his contract could make it hard for the Mets to pursue other stars in the future.
On the ‘Foul Territory’ show, Kratz said, “For the contract to be worthwhile… I’m going to say if they (Mets) are able to sign other superstars. If this contract inhibits the Mets, which I don’t think it will, from signing other superstars, then it is a burdensome contract, no matter what he (Juan Soto) does on the field,”
The Mets have already shown that this deal will likely not handicap them from signing other stars. New York signed Pete Alonso this offseason after agreeing with Soto, and they are already paying Francisco Lindor a ton of money. You can bet the Mets will continue to have one of the largest payrolls in baseball for the foreseeable future.
World Series or Bust?
With the addition of Soto, it is safe to say the Mets’ fanbase will be expecting a World Series championship soon. Over the next 15 seasons with Soto on the roster, anything short of a championship will be disappointing. Despite making the NLCS last season, the Mets have not won the World Series since 1986.
Soto and Lindor give the team two legitimate MVP candidates, and they have many solid complementary pieces surrounding them. The only question with the Mets roster is their pitching. Will they have enough to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers and other top teams in the MLB?
On FanDuel Sportsbook, the Mets have the fifth-best odds to win the World Series at +1100, putting them behind the Dodgers, Yankees, Braves and Phillies.
There may not be a team with more pressure to succeed in 2025 than the Mets. But that is what happens when you sign one of the best players in baseball.
