It's not often you can say the team with the highest payroll in the sport was a fun underdog story, but that's exactly what the New York Mets were in 2024. They went 75-87 and missed the postseason in 2023 -- things went so sour they sold at the trade deadline -- then rebounded to go 89-73 in 2024,

With free agency underway, the New York Mets are anticipated to be major players in the Soto sweepstakes, and owner Steve Cohen looks to be preparing his push early on into the signing period.

With it appearing more and more the free-agent slugger is a priority for the team this offseason, Mets owner Steve Cohen plans to travel to Southern California next week to meet with Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, according to industry sources. Several other owners are expected to meet with Boras and Soto in the coming weeks.