MLB analyst believes Mets could sign Juan Soto, Willy Adames, and Corbin BurnesMLB analyst believes Mets could sign Juan Soto, Willy Adames, and Corbin Burnes (Source – IMAGN)

Juan Soto is the biggest name in the free agent market among Alex Bregman, Teoscar Hernadez, Corbin Burnes, Willy Adames, etc. The biggest question in the offseason is where Soto will sign after the one-year stint with the New York Yankees.

MLB analyst and sportscaster Scott Braun appeared on Sports Nation Nightly, claiming the Mets have a better chance to land Juan Soto than the Yankees who the oddsmakers favor. Braun listed several reasons why Mets owner Steve Cohen has the edge over Hal Steinbrenner.

“I think he [Steve Cohen] can go beyond, payroll-wise, what the Yankees would do,” said Braun [1:10]. “But also, if you look at the payroll flexibility that the Mets have right now, they’re taking around $150 million off the books.”

“So, I think it would be kind of easy for them to go, “Okay, Soto, $45,000,000–$50,000,000 a year potentially”; unless they sign him for a longer-term deal that cuts down the average annual value to make it fit even better,” Braun added.

Per the analyst, the Yankees do not have the same leeway as the Mets. He believes they could persuade Soto with a substantial deal and the potential arrival of other free agents in the market.

“The Mets might be able to say to Soto, “We’re going to give you the most money, and we’re going to sign Corbin Burnes, one of the top pitchers on the market, and maybe a Willy Adames to also help you on the offensive side.” So, I think the Mets are in a better position right now to sign him if they want him, and I think they do,” said Braun [Timestamp 1:37].

Former Marlins President on Steve Cohen’s plans with Juan Soto

The Yankees have a rich history in the MLB. Per the former Marlins President David Samson, the Mets have a ‘second class citizen’ status in New York. Samson found it similar to the LA Lakers – LA Clippers situation in the NBA.

The former MLB executive believes Steve Cohen, the owner of the Mets, wants to change the narrative, and Juan Soto is the central piece of the plan.

“Steve [Cohen] wants to change that [second class citizen narrative], and he wants Juan Soto to be the son of that change; the center of that change,” Samson said. [2:46].

The Yankees have played in 41 World Series, winning 27 while the Mets only played in five, winning two.