As the Dodgers prepare to face the Yankees in the World Series, the Mets begin the quest to close the gap between themselves and their West Coast rival.
The Mets went into the offseason last year in a transition mode after shedding big contracts on which significant money was still owed.
There will be no such talk of transition this offseason, after the Mets advanced to Game 6 of the NLCS against the Dodgers and captivated a fan base starved for October excitement.
As the Dodgers prepare to face the Yankees in the World Series, the Mets begin the quest to close the gap between themselves and their West Coast rival.
Here are the big questions staring at team owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns: How heavily will the Mets pursue Juan Soto?
The Mets didn’t enter the Aaron Judge sweepstakes two years ago as part of a gentlemanly gesture by Cohen toward his neighbor.
But there is a big difference this time around: Judge was a homegrown Yankee and odds were against him leaving The Bronx.
Soto falls more into the category of hired gun after the Nationals traded him to the Padres, who dealt him last winter to the Yankees.
Soto, who turns 26 Friday, would help retool a Mets lineup that paled in comparison to the Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman wrecking crew possessed by the Dodgers.
Francisco Lindor is on that level of offensive performer and Mark Vientos appears on his way, but the Dodgers lineup largely outclassed the Mets.
