Yankees and Mets could go head-to-head for a number of the same players this offseason

A year ago, Juan Soto benefited from being in the middle of the perfect storm, a Subway Series clash for the so-called Centurion, the term cleverly concocted by agent Scott Boras to describe a generational talent that comes around every 100 years or so.

Pitting the Yankees and Mets against each other in a bidding war is the dream of any player or team seeking the maximum payoff, whether the showdown involves free agency or a trade package. Hal Steinbrenner presides over an $8 billion empire in the Bronx — the highest-valued franchise in the sport, according to Forbes — and Steve Cohen, who has his office on Seaver Way, is baseball’s richest individual owner with a personal fortune of $23 billion.

That interborough clash of the titans helped Boras orchestrate a record 15-year, $765 million contract for Soto. And though Cohen won his highly celebrated staredown with Steinbrenner, all it got him this past season was a dark Citi Field in October with another expensive winter makeover on tap.

Now get ready for Round Two. While there’s no Soto in this year’s free-agent market, the potential exists for Steinbrenner and Cohen to butt heads again on a number of marquee names. It’s also the expectation; to what degree will depend on how players eventually come off the board.

Both teams have plenty of holes to fill, along with fumigating the toxic odor left by a disappointing 2025 season. Before long, we’ll see how far they’re willing to go to accomplish those goals.

For luxury tax purposes, the Yankees’ current payroll (with arbitration projections) ranks second in the majors at $284 million for 2026 (according to Spotrac). The Mets are next up at $254 million. Given that the top taxable threshold is $304 million for the upcoming season, it would be hard to envision a scenario in which either team would stay below that mark (despite Steinbrenner’s oft-stated desire to get his payroll under $300 million).

General manager Brian Cashman insisted again Thursday that Steinbrenner hadn’t given him a concrete budget for 2026 and that the cost-evaluation for players will be determined on an individual basis. “I’m good at spending money,” Cashman said.

With that in mind, the Mets could force the Yankees to up their ante, and vice versa. Consider the list below a battleground in which the two New York rivals might face off again. It’s more of the higher-profile group, but plenty of smaller skirmishes are possible, too.

Cody Bellinger, OF/1B: Cashman wouldn’t come out and say that Bellinger is the Yankees’ primary focus, but given his stellar Bronx debut last season — and comfort level in New York — the fit is worth wherever his price tag may go (estimates push it as high as six years for $180 million). Still, Bellinger could have more value to the Mets, who need a centerfielder and soon might have a vacancy at first base if Pete Alonso ditches Queens. Alonso and Bellinger both are represented by Boras, so it’s uncertain how the timetable for their signings could impact each other.

Kyle Tucker, OF: The Yankees were rebuffed by the Astros in their efforts to trade for Tucker as a Soto replacement last winter. This offseason, the top-rated free agent again would seem to  be a Plan B if Bellinger chooses to go elsewhere, though Tucker — who is only 29 — could command a 10-year deal in the $400 million range. On the Mets’ side, the corner outfield spots  currently are occupied, but trading Brandon Nimmo freed up some cash, open a position and provide a lefty-hitting upgrade for the lineup.

Tatsuya Imai, SP: The Mets definitely have the greater need when it comes to the rotation, with rookie Nolan McLean profiling as the group’s ace and Kodai Senga likely to be dealt, so the 27-year-old Imai — with an upper-90s fastball and 1.92 ERA for the Seibu Lions last season — should be a priority. The Yankees doubled down on a strength last winter by signing Max Fried, and with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon on the shelf for the start of next season, adding Imai would help bridge the gap. He won’t come cheap, however, with projections going as high as $200 million.

Michael King, SP: The Yankees presumably would have the inside track for King, who liked his time in the Bronx before being sent to San Diego two years ago in the trade package for Soto. While King, 30, has ace-caliber stuff (career 10.2 K/9 rate), his spotty health is a concern. That could land him a mid-range deal in the $80 million neighborhood, which fits the preference of Mets GM David Stearns.

Devin Williams, RP: The Yankees have a closer in David Bednar, and the Mets ideally want Edwin Diaz back to sound the trumpets. But if Diaz prices himself out of Flushing, Williams — who has familiarity with Stearns & Co. from his Brewers days — would be a comfortable alternative. Williams had a rough start to his Bronx tenure but was figuring it out by the end, and it’s possible the Yankees could overpay him to return in a setup role. The Mets also could pitch that if Diaz stays.

Tarik Skubal, SP: The reigning back-to-back Cy Young Award winner isn’t a free agent, and it’s unclear if the Tigers will trade him heading into his walk year. But if Skubal does become available, the Mets have the need and prospect capital to get him to Flushing. The Yankees also possess the young talent to be in the mix and would target Skubal as a more cost-efficient (roughly $18M in arbitration) rental upgrade for a World Series push in 2026.