Juan Soto and everybody else: The best MLB pickups of the past year

March 27, 2025 by Miller Sanford

Mets' Juan Soto laughs while stretching during batting practice before an opening-day baseball game against the Houston Astros — Mets’ Juan Soto laughs while stretching during batting practice before an opening-day baseball game against the Houston Astros.
AP

There isn’t much controversy over who’s the most impactful acquisition/pickup/hiring over the past year. It has to be Juan Soto. At these prices, make that, it better be Soto. Here are the top pickups over the calendar year:

1. Juan Soto, Mets

For $765 million (plus an opt-out, suite and award bonuses) they get one of the game’s top offensive players. At age 26, he ranks with Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx and Mel Ott for early accomplishments. Steve Cohen’s gift to Queens.

2. Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks

Burnes could have gotten more money in Boston, Toronto or Baltimore. The D-Backs have one of the best rotations going, and in almost any other division, they might be favored.

3. Max Fried, Yankees

With Gerrit Cole out, he’s a $218M godsend. Looked great in spring.