Juan Soto and Pete Alonso approach free agency on different paths
New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto and Mets first baseman Pete Alonso will be free agents at the end of this Major League Baseball season. There will be a chance for them to get their Lotto payday. Whether or not they re-sign with their current respective teams is a discussion among fans and media that has been constant and will persist until the trade deadline on July 30. It’s a huge gamble for the Yankees and Mets considering how much money both players likely will be seeking. Soto will be seeking a roughly $600 million deal and Alonso in the neighborhood of $300 million.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and Mets owner Steve Cohen are rightly being cautious given the economics of the sport, most critically the luxury tax implications and the ramifications of investing hundreds of millions of dollars in a long-term commitment. But is it worth the risk of losing either player?
The differences in Soto’s and Alonso’s profile dictate the disparity in their leverage and value. Soto is one of the best all-around hitters in the game and is only 25 years old. Alonso is 29 and while a top power hitter in the sport, has a lower career walk rate, batting average and WAR (wins above replacement) than Soto. On Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game, Soto had a two-run double in the bottom of the 3rd. Alonso was 0-1 in his only plate appearance.
Soto has been a key contributor in his first season with the Yankees after coming to them last December in a trade with the San Diego Padres. The Yankees are 58-40 and only one game behind the 50-38 Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League East. Batting second directly in front of Aaron Judge, who is slotted in the No. 3 spot in the Yankees lineup, Soto has consistently provided a presence either moving runners or driving in runs. His .295 batting average (14th in the league), 75 runs scored (2nd), 23 home runs (6th) and 66 runs batted in (8th) have him in the AL MVP conversation with Judge.
Soto’s willingness to take pitches, leading MLB with 79 walks, has allowed Judge to be more aggressive at the plate. Soto’s impact on Judge’s production this year, first in baseball in home runs and RBI with 34 and 85 respectively, and second in walks at 72, cannot be overvalued. However, the Yankees have held fast to their policy of letting player contracts expire and taking their chances on re-signing them in free agency. The $31 million Soto is making this season is a bargain.
Alonso is in another space than Soto. He has been with the Mets his entire career. Alonso has the fourth most home runs of all-time in Mets history (211) and is currently fifth in the league with 19. The 2019 Rookie of the Year, he has consistently provided power for a Mets lineup with few other home run threats. He has shown the ability to hit with little protection from the hitters behind.
In the four hole behind No. 3 hitter J.D. Martinez, Alonso has prevented opposing teams from pitching around Martinez, who is having a solid season with 10 homers and 38 RBI in 66 games for the 49-46 Mets, which sits in the third wildcard position as their post All-Star break schedule resumes tomorrow versus the Marlins in Miami to begin a four-game series.
In October, Alonso hired Scott Boras, one of the most powerful agents in sports, to represent him. Boras is also Soto’s agent. He has historically squeezed teams for top dollars for his clients. Cohen is the wealthiest owner in baseball with a reported net worth of some $20 billion. Alonso’s salary over the last three years has been $7.4 million, $14.5 million and $20.5 million—not chump change. By hiring Boras, Alonso expects to greatly surpass those numbers as a free agent.
Common traits Soto and Alonso share that shouldn’t be minimized are that they are selfless teammates, great clubhouse presences and natural team leaders. There are many examples in sports in which athletes are overpaid. In the cases of Soto and Alonso, they probably will be worth whatever the cost is to secure their services.
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