In a clear sign that the Juan Soto sweepstakes are well underway and that the New York Mets hold major interest, owner Steve Cohen will fly to California next week to visit the top MLB free agent, league sources confirmed to The Athletic on Thursday.

The meeting was first reported by the New York Post. It would not at all be surprising if other owners visited Soto and his agent, Scott Boras.

Cohen, the league’s wealthiest owner, has experience courting high-profile free agents. Last year, he flew to Japan to see Yoshinobu Yamamoto and then hosted the star pitcher at his home in Connecticut. Yamamoto ended up choosing the Los Angeles Dodgers. But Cohen has not hesitated to pull out his wallet and commit large sums to players he’s coveted since assuming ownership in 2020.

Soto, 26, made $31 million with the New York Yankees this season. He is expected to command a multiyear deal worth more than $600 million.

Boras said during this week’s GM meetings in San Antonio that Soto prioritized winning and that the player wanted to meet with owners. When asked how much Soto enjoyed playing in New York while with the Yankees this past season, Boras again emphasized a desire to win.

“I think that playing in New York for Juan was really, really comfortable,” Boras said. “He really, really enjoyed his teammates, the Yankee experience. Juan loves winning. The reason Juan Soto got to New York was because Juan, with Washington and due to Peter Seidler’s illness, Juan Soto wants ownership that he knows is going to support an opportunity to win annually.”