Mets Reportedly Out of Race for Best Player in Baseball

The New York Mets are reportedly not going after the top available free agent.

The top prize of this year's free agency class is Shohei Ohtani. While the New York Mets have long been rumored to be interested in acquiring the two-way star, reports indicate that they might be out of the race now.

For the Mets, this is an interesting offseason. Not only do they need to decide which direction they're going in, but there are stars that could help them beyond 2024.

Even if they don't plan on contending this year, why not sign a player like Juan Soto or Ohtani to a 10-plus-year contract?

They're going to be the face of the franchise even when Steve Cohen decides to spend big again.

That doesn't seem to be their strategy this winter, however.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, New York is out of the race for Ohtani. 

"Given that, it would be foolish to count out any high revenue team, though by now the field for Ohtani's services has winnowed, sources said. The Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, who were among the initial group of suitors, have turned their attention to other players, sources said."

While this is disappointing to hear for Mets fans, this isn't the end all be all. Cohen will spend money, but the way the team's currently constructed, why go out and spend $400-plus million on one player?

This will be the first of many rumors for New York this offseason. With the Winter Meetings beginning next week, expect them to be active, as they've already been so far.