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Tag: Mets

Yankees’ Aaron Judge talks Mets’ Juan Soto’s playoff belief

New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge thinks the Yankees have a better chance of winning the World Series than their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets.

Judge, 32, was asked about his former teammate, Juan Soto, and Soto’s apparent conclusion that he had a better chance to win with the Mets than the Yankees.

“That’s his opinion. He can say what he wants. I definitely disagree with him. I wasn’t too surprised by it, I think that’s where he wanted to be,” Judge said to reporters on Monday during a press conference.

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New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, #99, smiles during spring training batting practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field. (Dave Nelson-Imagn Images)

Soto signed a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets this offseason. If Soto opts out after the fifth year of his contract, the Mets can void it by making the total value of the contract $805 million.

“The Mets are a great organization and what they have done in the past couple of year showing the ability to keep winning, to keep growing a team, to try and grow a dynasty, is one of the most important things,” Soto said when asked why he chose to sign with the Mets in free agency.

Soto’s deal is the richest contract in the history of professional sports, and Judge said Monday he is happy for his former teammate.

“I think that’s where is best for him and his family. He got a pretty nice deal over there, you can’t say no that. But I’m happy for him, he got a good deal. He’s going to be in a great spot. It’s going to be great having him in town. We are going to be battling back and forth for quite a few years. I’m definitely happy for him,” Judge said.

Judge and Soto were the big leagues’ best duo last season.

Judge won the American League MVP after clubbing a league high 58 home runs and driving in the most runs in baseball (144) while maintaining a sparkling .322 batting average.

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New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto, #22, looks on after taking batting practice during a spring training workout at Clover Park. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Soto finished third in the AL MVP race, as he had the best season of his career while hitting in front of Judge.

Soto hit a career high 41 home runs and hit .288, while getting on base at a .419 clip.

Judge knows it is impossible to replace Soto, but he likes what the Yankees have done to make up for his loss.

“Soto is one-of-a-kind man, he’s a special player. Excited for him and his new chapter with the Mets, but we added a lot of new pieces here, starting with (Cody) Bellinger and (Paul) Goldschmidt. Two guys that are former MVP’s, guys that are still wanting to improve, still want to get better,” Judge said.

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New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, #99, hits a ball during spring training batting practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field. (Dave Nelson-Imagn Images)

“They are going to add such a different dynamic to this team. It really lengthens our whole lineup when you have those guys batting in the middle of your order a lot of good things are going to happen. You can’t replace a guy like Juan Soto, but you bring in guys like this that are All Star, MVP caliber players.”

The Yankees acquired Bellinger in a trade with the Chicago Cubs and signed Goldschmidt to a one-year deal in free agency.

Bellinger won the 2019 NL MVP with the Los Angeles Dodgers and has spent the last two seasons with the Cubs.

Bellinger hit .266 and hit 18 home runs with the Cubs last season, and he plays a strong centerfield.

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New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto, #22, takes batting practice during a spring training workout at Clover Park. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Goldschmidt won the NL MVP in 2022 but struggled last season as he got off a slow start before bouncing back. He hit .245 with 22 home runs in 154 games last season.

Those two will be tasked with replacing the hole Soto left in the Yankees lineup, as they try to make it back to the World Series after losing to the Dodgers in five games.

Soto will be relied upon to anchor the Mets lineup alongside Francisco Lindor, as the Mets have World Series aspirations after a surprise run to the NLCS last season.

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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
Mets pitcher from Japan says team needs to ‘build a roof’ if it wants more Japanese stars

It is no secret the Los Angeles Dodgers have been able to attract Japanese stars recently.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto chose the Dodgers over the New York Mets last year, when both teams offered him $325 million.

More recently, Roki Sasaki also chose the Dodgers despite the Toronto Blue Jays reportedly offering more money.

Due to his age, Sasaki, 23, was limited to teams’ international pool money.

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New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of Game 1 of the NL Championship Series Oct. 13, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

And Shohei Ohtani decided to stay in Los Angeles and sign with the Dodgers before the 2024 campaign.

Japanese stars have joined other teams in recent years, but Yamamoto and Sasaki are undoubtedly the top pitching prospects other than Ohtani since Masahiro Tanaka arrived in 2014 with the Yankees.

Ahead of the 2023 season, Kodai landed a five-year, $90 million contract with the New York Mets, and he’s slated to be at the top of their rotation this season after missing the majority of last season.

As he reported to spring training Tuesday, Senga was asked how the Mets could land more Japanese stars, and he was brutally honest.

“Of course, I would love to have some more on the Mets, but the climate’s nice there, and I think that definitely plays a part,” Senga said.

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga reacts to some difficulty with a PitchCom device during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers June 28, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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“We need to build a roof.”

Mets owner Steve Cohen has teased a roof before, once noting it would cost roughly $800 million to build. But, last year, he said that “ship has sailed” because it’s “too expensive.”

There figure to be more Japanese stars arriving in the U.S. soon. Lefty slugger Munetaka Murakami, who hit 56 homers in 2022 and has a .938 career OPS overseas, is expected to join the major leagues next year.

It should also be noted that the Blue Jays have a roof, so the weather clearly wasn’t everything for Sasaki.

Kodai Senga of the New York Mets pitches during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field July 26, 2024, in New York City. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

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There are 15 Japanese-born players on major league rosters, and the most recent to make his MLB debut was Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga.

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February 12, 2025
Pete Alonso returning to Mets on short-term deal: reports

The New York Mets are bringing back first baseman Pete Alonso on a two-year, $54 million deal, according to multiple reports.

The deal reportedly comes with an opt-out after 2025. The deal also reportedly comes with a $10 million signing bonus and a $20 million salary for 2025, with a $24 million player option for 2026.

Alonso was the team’s second-round pick out of the Florida Gators’ program in 2016, and he’s spent his first six seasons hitting home runs (226), including a rookie record 53 that aided his Rookie of the Year resume in 2019. He’s also made four All-Star teams, including each of the last three, and has a career .854 OPS.

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Oct 8, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) reacts after walking in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during game three of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. (Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

Alonso’s uncertain return to the Mets was one of the most-discussed storylines of the MLB offseason. Team owner Steve Cohen expressed skepticism the team would re-sign the star sluggers during an appearance at the Mets’ Amazin’ Day in late January.

There, Cohen said the negotiations with Alonso were going “worse” than they had with the team’s offseason big offseason signing, Juan Soto.

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Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets reacts after flying out to left field to end the bottom of the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on May 25, 2024 in New York City. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

“We’ve made a significant offer to Pete, and, you know, what David said is correct. He’s entitled to go out and explore his market,” Cohen said. “That’s what he’s doing. Personally, this has been an exhausting conversation and negotiation. I mean, Soto was tough. This is worse.”

Still, Cohen never ruled out Alonso’s return.

“I will never say no. There’s always the possibility. But the reality is we’re moving forward, and we continue to bring in players. As we continue to bring in players, the reality is it becomes harder to fit Pete into what is a very expensive group of players that we already have. That’s where we are,” Cohen said.

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New York Mets first base Pete Alonso (20) runs the bases after hitting run in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during game two of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park. (Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)

“I’m being brutally honest. I don’t like the negotiations, I don’t like what’s been presented to us, and maybe that changes. Certainly, I’ll always stay flexible. If it stays this way, I think we’re going to have to get used to the fact that we may have to go forward with the existing players that we have.”

Now, Alonso is back in Queens and will be paired with Soto for at least one season.

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Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.

February 6, 2025
Mets owner Steve Cohen compares Pete Alonso contract talks to Juan Soto’s acquisition: ‘This is worse’

Here’s something New York Mets fans might not have seen coming this offseason: Pete Alonso’s contract talks are “worse” than Juan Soto’s, according to owner Steven Cohen.

During an appearance at the Mets’ Amazin’ Day Saturday afternoon at Citi Field, Cohen was on a panel with his general manager, David Stearns, and manager Carlos Mendoza, while legendary broadcaster Gary Cohen (no relation) moderated the group.

Before questions could be asked, though, the Mets’ faithful in the crowd burst into a “We want Pete!” chant, referring to Alonso, the free agent first baseman who has been a Met his entire career.

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New York Mets owner Steve Cohen speaks to the media before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field June 28, 2023, in New York City. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

“Hold that for the end, OK?” Cohen told the crowd, smiling.

The Mets and Alonso have had negotiations, but have not reached a deal after they signed Soto to his $765 million deal. New York has landed other players in free agency, but Alonso remains one of the top players on the market.

Alonso was the team’s second-round pick out of the Florida Gators’ program in 2016, and he’s spent his first six seasons hitting home runs (226), including a rookie record 53 that aided his Rookie of the Year resume in 2019. He’s also made four All-Star teams, including each of the last three, and has a career .854 OPS.

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As a fan favorite, it’s easy to see why Mets fans are chanting for their first baseman to be back for a hopeful World Series run in 2025 with Soto added to a roster that also includes Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo and Mark Vientos.

But Cohen, as he has been many times in the past, was transparent with the fan base about what’s been going on in negotiations with Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, who also represents Soto.

“We’ve made a significant offer to Pete, and, you know, what David said is correct. He’s entitled to go out and explore his market,” Cohen said. “That’s what he’s doing. Personally, this has been an exhausting conversation and negotiation. I mean, Soto was tough. This is worse.”

The Soto sweepstakes were a roller coaster, and it seemed like he was going to stay with the New York Yankees until Cohen came swooping in at the eleventh hour with an offer of a lifetime, crushing Shohei Ohtani’s record contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

So, with a record-breaking deal done, how could Alonso’s negotiations possibly be worse?

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso runs the bases after hitting a home run in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during Game 2 of a 2024 NLDS at Citizens Bank Park. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)

“I don’t like the structures that are being presented back to us,” Cohen explained. “I think it’s highly asymmetric against us, and I feel strongly about it. I will never say no. There’s always the possibility. But the reality is we’re moving forward, and we continue to bring in players. As we continue to bring in players, the reality is it becomes harder to fit Pete into what is a very expensive group of players that we already have. That’s where we are.

“I’m being brutally honest. I don’t like the negotiations, I don’t like what’s been presented to us, and maybe that changes. Certainly, I’ll always stay flexible. If it stays this way, I think we’re going to have to get used to the fact that we may have to go forward with the existing players that we have.”

Mets fans appreciated the honesty from their owner, giving him a round of applause at the end.

Stearns added, “We all love Pete. And we’ve said that many times. I think as we’ve gone through this process, we’ve continued to express that.”

SNY reported this week the Mets have a $68-70 million offer in “present day money” on the table. Alonso turned down a deal for more than $70 million when taking deferred money into account.

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen defended the team’s deadline moves. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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The Toronto Blue Jays have also been linked to Alonso, but no deal appears imminent.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 25, 2025