So how quickly do things change in baseball? New York has an answer. When June began, the New York Yankees were the absolute kings while the New York Mets were floundering. But then by the end of that month, the Pinstripes lost their fury and the Metsies are in ascendancy. However, for both of these teams succeeding this year is highly important because of the free agency of Juan Soto. And as it stands, the Mets may have already started their sales pitch courtesy of Francisco Alvarez.

Apart from playing in New York, there’s another thing that connects the two stars – their friendship. During the Subway Series, that bond was visible in full strength with Soto and Alvarez palling around during the game. Both of these players have been instrumental in their teams’ success, which makes Alvarez’s comments so interesting.  “I practiced with him a couple of times in the offseason,” Alvarez said to Fox Sports about Soto. “I got to know him a little bit.”

Later, Alvarez said that he “loves how” Soto plays the game, the way he enjoys the game. At 22, Alvarez considers the 25-year-old Juan Soto his inspiration. That’s part of the reason why, he wants Soto to come join him in the Mets.

“I would really like it if he was going to play with the Mets,” Francisco Alvarez said. “For me, it would be great. He’s the guy that, everything I want to have is like him. He’s one of the best players in the game.” That is a sentiment shared by a majority of Mets fans. Could it turn out to be true? That is a big question. However, one can’t deny that the presence of Scott Boras as Juan Soto’s agent does raise the Mets’ chances. After all, Boras isn’t known for team loyalty, he’s popular for getting his clients big money deals.

Juan Soto’s doors for the New York Mets aren’t closed 

One can understand the Mets’ changed perspective from the reports that emerged at the end of May. Per NJ Media’s Bob Klapisch, a friend of Soto’s had summarily rejected the superstar’s idea of joining the Mets. “Juan is not going to play for a joke of a team, period,” the friend said. However, during that time the Amazin’ Mets weren’t so amazing (23-33 record then). But as of now, they’re 41-41 and right in the mix of Wildcard battle. 

On top of that, the team is starting to look more balanced in defense and offense. On the other hand, the New York Yankees went 14-13 in June and that was with Aaron Judge and Soto firing on all cylinders. If it comes to on-field performances, both teams currently have the same issues and the same potential. But when it comes to money –  Steve Cohen has no peer. 

Perhaps that’s what makes things so interesting. Even though Juan Soto loves it in the Yankees, there is no guarantee he’d give up on salary to stay with them. Perhaps that’s why Francisco Alvarez is already making a sales pitch – the sooner the better.