Sports
Mets went wild for Juan Soto: Why a measured approach might come next
After signing Juan Soto to the richest contract in sports history, people familiar with the New York Mets’ thinking about filling roster holes said the club plans to act “aggressively yet smart.”
Such phrasing suggests the Mets will take their shots with some of the talent available on the market but may want to avoid being tied to another long contract. So it would seem their preference, even in some cases with large annual average values, would be to go short-term.
That might mean the Mets prefer homegrown star Pete Alonso to return on a shorter deal rather than conceding entirely if Alonso’s desired figures run on the long end. That might mean a reluctance to go five years, possibly even four years, for Sean Manaea, a pitcher they’d like to re-sign. And it might mean wanting Walker Buehler, someone who’d fit in well with them, for something like a one-year deal with an option rather than a straight multiyear pact.
The Mets inked Soto last week at 15 years and $765 million, underscoring in big bold lettering owner Steve Cohen’s willingness to spend for what he wants.
What Cohen desires most, though, is a perennial winner, not a team prone to big ups and downs.
So while a team’s winter is always difficult to predict because opportunities sometimes arise unexpectedly, it wouldn’t be surprising if the rest of the Mets’ offseason reflected a more measured approach.
Steve Cohen (left) made a splash by paying up for Juan Soto, but expect upcoming moves by David Stearns to be more understated. (Al Bello / Getty Images)
In Soto, the Mets saw a generational player and viewed splurging on him as a rare opportunity. He’s 26 years old and one of the game’s most prolific hitters. They’ll continue looking for ways to supplement a roster that includes star Francisco Lindor, veteran Brandon Nimmo and breakout player Mark Vientos. But just because they committed so much to Soto, doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll fill other holes by any means necessary.
The Mets splurged multiple times a few years ago with mixed results at best. One year, they experienced success. The next year, they needed to pivot. That is why Cohen hired David Stearns as president of baseball operations, to run things with an emphasis on viability.
Sensible trade options exist for the Mets, particularly if they don’t match with free agents such as Manaea, Buehler, Nick Pivetta or someone similar. There is no guarantee the San Diego Padres’ Dylan Cease or the Houston Astros’ Framber Valdez will be traded, but both pitchers seem to work under the Mets’ plan. They’re both set to be free agents after the season. Thus, they both would be motivated to have big seasons. In either, the Mets could see an opportunity.
Other opportunities to upgrade the pitching staff may involve starters under club control. Garrett Crochet, 25, stood out as an example. The Mets engaged with the White Sox about Crochet before Chicago dealt him to the Red Sox, which indicated a willingness to part with high-end talent from the farm system. But talks between the Mets and White Sox went only so far because the Mets didn’t want to part with what the White Sox wanted and ultimately received (multiple top prospects). The process served as a data point in learning how Stearns operates with the Mets.
After reaching the NLCS in his second year leading the Mets, Stearns doled out his three largest contracts with the club: Soto, obviously, plus Frankie Montas (two years, $34 million) and Clay Holmes (three years, $38 million). In the case of Holmes, Stearns used money to beat out other teams interested in converting the All-Star reliever into a starter. Still, that’s not exactly akin to going an extra year on someone like Alex Bregman. It’s more taking a shot on someone based on processes and acting with conviction within guided parameters. Veteran agents often compliment Stearns for his ability to collect information, read the market and then make a decision. He is not easily susceptible to being on the wrong end of a bad contract.
While the Soto deal highlights Cohen’s capabilities, what comes next figures to feature Stearns and his front office’s track record.
(Top photo of Juan Soto and David Stearns: David Dee Delgado / Getty Images)
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Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley sounded off on the frenzied reactions to the U.S. men’s hockey team getting invited to the White House by President Donald Trump.
Trump talked to the Olympic gold medal-winning team immediately after they defeated Canada in overtime last weekend. He said they would be invited to his State of the Union address and added that he needed to invite the women’s team as well or he would be “impeached.”
Charles Barkley sits courtside against the Minnesota Timberwolves during an NBA Cup game at Mortgage Matchup Center on Nov. 21, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Trump critics took the joke as a shot at the women’s team, which sparked questions from NHL and Professional Women’s Hockey League reporters as the players returned to their respective club teams.
“I’m proud of the United States men. I’m proud of the United States women. You should have invited both of them to the White House, but it shouldn’t have been disrespect, misogyny,” Barkley said on the “Steam Room” podcast. “Like, yo, man, why do y’all have to mess everything up? Everything isn’t Democrat, Republican, conservative, liberal. That’s why we got this divided, screwed up country. Stop it man. Because, you know, the public, they’re idiots. They’re fools. They can’t think for themselves. I know y’all say stuff to trigger them. Y’all say stuff and y’all know they’re going to be fools.”
Barkley lamented that the average person would get riled up over the supposed controversy.
The U.S. team poses for a group photo after defeating Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Milan, Italy, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Luca Bruno/AP Photo)
“We don’t have to fall for stupidity. But we do – that’s my point. These people out here are stupid. They need something to trigger them. Just because they want us to be stupid. We don’t have to be stupid. He should have invited both teams to the White House. Simple as that. Guys who didn’t want to go shouldn’t have to explain why they didn’t go.”
The former Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns star made clear he would go to the White House regardless of whether Trump was in office.
“I’ve said this before, I’m not a Trump guy. But if I got invited to the White House, I would go. I’m not a Trump guy – I want to make that clear. But I respect the office,” Barkley said. “He’s the president of the United States. But if guys don’t want to go, I understand that too. It doesn’t have to be a talking point. It doesn’t have to be un-American.
Megan Keller (5) celebrates with a flag alongside Cayla Barnes (3) of Team United States after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during the women’s gold medal match against Canada on Day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 19, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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“I just wish y’all would stop falling for the stupidity.”
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Three years ago, as a 14-year-old freshman, Slava Shahbazyan made it to Bakersfield for the state wrestling championships.
“It was good to get experience that young,” he said.
Then came Saturday night when he had a breakthrough moment, winning the state 165-pound championship as a 17-year-old senior for Birmingham High.
“It means everything to me,” he said. “It took four years.”
Shahbazyan, who transferred from Chaminade after his sophomore year, is set to attend Stanford and still in the hunt to be valedictorian at Birmingham. Coach Jimmy Medeiros said he was close to winning last season before finishing fourth.
“He got a lot better,” Medeiros said.
Shahbazyan has been wrestling since he was 8. “My father loves wrestling,” he said.
Two St. John Bosco wrestlers, Jesse Grajeda at 144 pounds and Michael Romero at 150 pounds, also won state titles.
Here’s the link to complete results.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
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Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder died this weekend, the team’s head coach Deion Sanders confirmed on Sunday with a social media post.
“God please comfort the Ponder family, friends and loved ones,” Sanders wrote on social media. “Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good 1. Comfort us Lord Comfort us.”
Ponder was 23 years old.
Details of Ponder’s death are not yet known.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his team warm up before an NCAA college football game against TCU Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo)
Ponder, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound signal caller, joined the Buffaloes and “Coach Prime’s” program in 2024 after spending time at Bethune-Cookman before making his way to Boulder.
Last season, Ponder played just two games for the Buffaloes while serving in his backup role. He recorded two rush attempts and one pass attempt.
The Opa Locka, Fla., native also received tribute from a fellow quarterback with the Buffaloes, Colton Allen.
Bethune-Cookman QB Dominiq Ponder takes a snap during the Wildcats’ spring game Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Daytona Stadium. (IMAGN)
“Dom, you were a blessing to so many people,” Allen wrote on Instagram. “You had a presence about you that just made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I’m grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we got to share. I’ll carry those with me for the rest of my life.”
Ponder was going to be a part of Colorado’s spring practices, which are set to begin on Monday. It’s unknown if Sanders will postpone the start due to Ponder’s passing.
Ponder also received a tribute from the University of Central Florida.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his players warm up before an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (Tyler Tate/AP Photo)
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“Our prayers are with Dominiq and the Ponder family along with all in the Colorado football program,” the university’s football account on X wrote.
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