Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extension talks top spring training’s most pressing non-Mets-Dodgers storylines

If you hate coastal superpowers, this was a bad offseason for you.

The Dodgers talked to Juan Soto and didn’t sign him, but then went about securing just about every other desirable star in the market. The Mets did sign Soto to a record contract, and kept going to restock their pitching and eventually reunite with Pete Alonso. The Yankees lost Soto, and responded with boldness in both free agency and the trade market.

Sure, Corbin Burnes went to Arizona, and Boston traded for Garrett Crochet, and the Giants signed Willy Adames. There was action elsewhere. But the offseason revolved around Los Angeles and New York more than ever. They have been the three largest spenders in free agency with the Mets’ offseason investments at $1.01 billion.

Even if you subtract Soto’s $765 million, the Mets at $242.3 million spent would fall between the Dodgers ($387 million) and Yankees ($238.5 million). That trio had spent $1.633 billion combined compared to $1.439 billion for the other 27 clubs (through Thursday). And that does not accurately reflect the true value of Roki Sasaki, who was signed by the Dodgers, or include at all the Yankees’ trade acquisitions of Cody Bellinger, Devin Williams and Fernando Cruz.