Jason Burgos
The differing directions the New York Yankees and New York Mets‘ seasons are heading should prompt the pair of NYC clubs to consider if an unfathomable blockbuster trade for Juan Soto is in the best interest of both organizations in the short and long-term.
The Mets entered the 2026 campaign with high expectations. After an ugly late-season collapse, they remodeled what is still one of the most expensive rosters in baseball. Unfortunately for Amazin’s fans, they have been MLB’s biggest letdown this season after losing 12 straight at one point in April, and head into Tuesday dead last in the National League East with a 22-32 record after a fourth-straight loss on Memorial Day.
On the other hand, the Yankees enter Tuesday with the second-best record in the AL (32-22) — which is also the exact opposite of the Mets — because they have, arguably, the AL’s best pitching staff. And they just got six-time All-Star and 2023 Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole back last week. Yet, for as good as their pitching has been or can be, their offense has not been as strong as in years past.
Why the NY Yankees should consider pursuit for Juan Soto
Reigning MVP Aaron Judge is having a good, but not typically great, season. And they have three players who are on the field nearly every day, hitting below .200. Yet, there is one star who could help in a major way, and his name is Juan Soto. Honestly, the Yankees’ offense has not been the same or nearly as scary since he left the Bronx for Queens two years ago.
The idea of trading Soto would seem ridiculous for the Mets since he is their best player by far. However, he has been on a team that had a historic collapse last year, and is heading to be a massive disappointment in 2026. Is it his fault? No, but he is clearly not elevating them in a way management expected. Especially for a player they gave a $765 million contract to. A case can be made that maybe it is in their best interest, long term, to move him while his value is still high.
While most franchises would pass on the opportunity to trade for Soto because of his massive contract, the Yankees would consider it for two reasons. One, because they know how big a difference Soto can make after he led them to a World Series appearance two years ago. And two, they reportedly came up just a few million short in the bidding war for the four-time All-Star. So they weren’t afraid to pay him the absurd money he was looking for a couple of years ago.
With their pitching, other moves they could make before the trade deadline, and having a Judge-Soto one-two punch in the order again, the Yanks would be the favorites to get to the World Series in the AL. Furthermore, they are the only team Soto would be open to an in-season trade to. But what could they offer the Mets to make trading their best player worth it?
What could the NY Mets get from the Yankees in a Juan Soto trade?
In any potential Soto trade, the Mets should look to replenish the farm system they have diminished over the last couple of years through trades and promotions. However, the Yankees don’t have a strong minor league system. However, some interesting young pieces on the big league roster could be put in a trade package to the team in Queens.
In any potential trade, first baseman Ben Rice must be included. The 27-year-old is proving that how he played to end 2025 was no fluke. He has smashed 16 homers and 33 RBIs so far this year, and he would give the Mets a potential long-term option at first and a power-hitting replacement for Pete Alonso.
Another player the Mets would want is pitcher Cam Schlittler. Like Rice, he is proving last season was no fluke and is putting up All-Star numbers to begin the 2026 season.
If the Yankees are willing to add top prospects like George Lombard Jr. or Elmer Rodriguez into the deal, two young players with the potential to be multi-time All-Stars (Rice and Schlittler) and a top prospect might be enough to get the Yankees a yearly MVP-level talent who is still on 27. Plus, the Mets would get a massive amount of payroll off their books.
