In a stunning revelation that has sent ripples through the baseball world, New York Mets president Sandy Alderson has disclosed new details about the club’s long-standing pursuit of superstar outfielder Juan Soto, shedding light on just how early the team’s interest began in trying to steal him away from their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees. In an exclusive interview, Alderson offered an inside look at the Mets’ strategic efforts, revealing that their pursuit of Soto dates back further than most fans and analysts realized, painting a picture of a meticulous, multi-year plot aimed at securing one of baseball’s brightest young talents.
The story, as Alderson explained, traces its roots to several seasons ago, long before Soto became a household name with the Washington Nationals and well before the trade rumors surrounding him began to intensify. The Mets’ front office had been quietly monitoring Soto’s progress since his early days in the major leagues, noticing not only his immense talent but also his potential to become one of the most impactful players of his generation. Alderson explained that while Soto’s breakout season in 2018 helped cement his status as an elite hitter, it wasn’t until 2019 that the Mets started to seriously formulate plans to acquire him—plans that would eventually extend well beyond just a casual interest in a player on the rise.
The Mets’ interest in Soto accelerated in 2021, as the club began to sense that the Nationals might be facing a crossroads. The Nationals, coming off a disappointing season, had already started to show signs of organizational instability, which led to speculation that they might entertain trade offers for their star players, including Soto. For the Mets, the timing felt right to escalate their pursuit of Soto, especially considering the Yankees’ own growing interest in the outfielder. Alderson emphasized that part of the Mets’ strategy was not only to enhance their own roster with a generational talent like Soto but also to ensure that their rivals, the Yankees, would not be able to land him.
With the Yankees being a perennial contender and a team with a deep financial commitment to success, the Mets knew that securing Soto from under their noses would require both creativity and a willingness to act decisively. Alderson admitted that the Mets were fully aware of the Yankees’ interest in Soto, and this fueled their determination to secure him before their rivals could make a serious play. The fact that the Mets, at the time, had a competitive but still developing roster made them especially hungry to take a big swing at a talent like Soto, who could be a cornerstone player for years to come.
The trade talks and behind-the-scenes negotiations with the Nationals are said to have started in earnest during the 2022 offseason. Alderson noted that the Mets were not just competing with the Yankees but also with other MLB powerhouses. Several teams had positioned themselves as potential suitors for Soto, aware that his combination of hitting prowess, patience at the plate, and elite defensive skills made him an incredibly valuable asset. As the Mets began ramping up their efforts, they worked behind closed doors to assemble a trade package that would entice the Nationals. Alderson revealed that the Mets were prepared to offer a mixture of top-tier prospects and major league-ready talent, with the intention of building a deal that the Nationals couldn’t resist.
While Alderson stopped short of revealing specific details of the trade discussions, it’s clear that the Mets were closely monitoring Soto’s contract situation with the Nationals, as the team was not only aiming to acquire him in a trade but also positioning themselves for a possible long-term extension. The Mets’ front office worked to position themselves as the top suitor for Soto, knowing that securing him would help elevate the team into immediate World Series contention.
Ultimately, the Mets’ pursuit of Soto has yet to bear fruit, as the Nationals ultimately decided to hold on to their star outfielder, opting not to deal him. However, Alderson’s comments provide valuable insight into the lengths the Mets were willing to go to bring Soto to Queens and keep him away from the Yankees. The rivalry between the Mets and Yankees has always been intense, but Alderson’s remarks underscore just how much the Mets were willing to invest in making sure their city rivals didn’t get their hands on a player who could potentially reshape the future of their franchise.
In the end, while the Mets were unable to pull off the deal for Soto, the behind-the-scenes effort exemplifies the ever-increasing competition in the league and the lengths to which teams will go to secure top-tier talent. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing chess match between baseball’s biggest clubs, as every move made can have lasting consequences on a team’s chances at success, both in the present and for years to come.
