The New York Mets operated with a smaller payroll in 2024 and drastically improved after losing 87 games in 2023.
One more win, and the Mets will advance to the NLDS and face off against the Philadelphia Phillies.
However, regardless of how their postseason run ends, they could be in the market for one of Major League Baseball's top free agents.
Erik Beaston of Bleacher Report predicts that the Mets will ultimately offer slugger Juan Soto an offer he can't refuse.
"MLB insider Buster Olney told Pinstripe Nation that the Mets will go "toe-to-toe" with the Bronx Bombers in a bidding war for a free agent, having admitted to him that Soto is their guy," Beaston wrote. "He also believes the Yankees will be outbid."
The Mets top target will likely be Pete Alonso, who is also a free agent after several strong years as a member of the team. But in the event that Alonso walks in free agency, Soto could be a solid backup plan.
Tim Britton of The Athletic predicts that Soto will ultimately receive an offer up to $560 million, which would be a large commitment. But owner Steve Cohen is known for spending big money in free agency.
Soto has been everything the New York Yankees could have asked for. The 25-year-old slugger hit .288 with 41 home runs, 109 RBI, seven stolen bases, and a .988 OPS.
He certainly would give the Mets a major offensive boost, and the Mets are a team that should be able to afford him.
It will be interesting to see if the Mets can cough up that kind of money for him.
More MLB: Mets projected to sign $242 million star if it misses on Juan Soto
