Juan Soto, right fielder for the Washington Nationals, has reportedly turned down their latest contract offer- a deal worth $440 million dollars.
With the Nationals unable to secure Soto’s service long term, the Nationals seem to be fielding trade offers for the superstar. Soto is a free agent after the 2024 season. Any team that traded for Soto now, would have him in their lineup for the next two and a half season.
With the addition of Juan Soto, and fellow Nationals slugger Josh Bell, here’s what an upgraded New York Mets lineup could look like the rest of the season.
1)Brandon Nimmo CF (L)
2) Francisco Lindor SS (S)
3) Juan Soto RF/LF (L)
4) Pete Alonso 1B (R)
5) Josh Bell DH (S)
6) Sterling Marte RF/LF (R)
7) Jeff McNeil 2B (L)
8) Ed Escobar 3B (S)
9) McCann/Nido C (R)
Bench: Nido/McCann, Mark Canha, Luis Guilorme, JD Davis/Travis Jankowski
1) Brandon Nimmo has turned himself into a premier center fielder, just in time for his free agent year. Look out for a big contract for Nimmo this off season- with the Mets or otherwise.
2) The trade deadline additions push Francisco Lindor up to the 2 hole. Lindor has slight better numbers batting 2nd, and could provide an immediate spark to the offense.
3) Juan Soto (.292/.427/.540) is a superstar bat, that would be a massive upgrade for the New York Mets. MLB Trade values has his value pretty high, but if the Mets could get Juan Soto for 2 and a half years, it could be worth the price!
4) New York Mets all Star first baseman Pete Alonso looks to win the home run derby for the 3rd consecutive year.
5) If the Mets could somehow swing the trade for Juan Soto, why can’t New York also add slugger Josh Bell? Adding another switch hitter to this lineup would also give Mets Manager Buck Showalter plenty of lineup options.
6) Sterling Marte could move to left field, giving the Mets two strong arms in the corner outfield positions.
7) New York Mets all star second baseman Jeff McNeil was just named to the starting lineup, replacing Marlins Jazz Chrisholm Jr.
8) Eduardo Escobar gives the Mets a third switch hitter in the lineup.
9) Catchers Tomas Nido and James McCann continue to split the catchers duties. While an upgrade on offense at catcher would be nice, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt (so) and Jacob deGrom all seem rather comfortable pitching to these two.
Bench:
1) back up catcher. Either Nido or McCann.
2) Luis Guilorme’s defense makes him a valuable piece to this Mets team. His bat has also picked up nicely this season (numbers)
3) Mark Cahna has been a real pro this season. Having his bat on the bench, over say Dominic Smith, it makes the Mets much, much better.
4) the last bench spot could go to JD Davis, as a right-hander with some thump. Or the Mets could go more defense and speed and give the spot to Travis Jankowski. Or the Mets could go with a 5-man bench and choose both.
A trade for Juan Soto will probably be pretty tough for the Mets to pull off. But if general manager Billy Eppler can pull it off, New York would have one powerful and deep lineup for the playoff push.
Fearless Baseball 