Early hints suggest the Mets will indeed play for Juan Soto.
Word around the Yankees is Soto likes it there (and he sure seems to), so they look like worthy favorites in the big derby.
“It’s the Yankees, then the Mets, then everyone else,” one rival executive guesses.
Best guess here: The Dodgers stand as the biggest threat outside New York, as a consistent winner and spender. (There’s no East Coast bias on Soto’s part, as he was willing to sign back in San Diego.)
Pete Alonso makes sense for the Nats, though some still see the incumbent Mets as favorites due to 1) fan interest and 2) Steve Cohen’s largesse.
If they’d move emerging Michael Busch from first to second base, the Cubs could work for Alonso.
So might the Astros or Mariners.
Alex Bregman has rallied big-time (17 homers since July 1), but while the Astros will try again, the sides were said far apart on a contract as of last spring.
Could the Yankees make sense for Bregman? Jazz Chisholm Jr. could move to second, where he’s Gold Glove caliber.
The Mets are interviewing for international scouting director.
A couple candidates heard are Giants scouting exec Felix Peguero and ex-Marlins scouting chief Roman Ocumare.
Bobby Witt Jr. and Francisco Lindor were in the MVP picture until very recently.
The guess here now is Shohei Ohtani will be unanimous and Aaron Judge will be close to unanimous.