THE SOTO SAGA: WHY YANKEE FANS SHOULD BE GRATEFUL

Alright, Yankees fans, let’s clear the air. Juan Soto isn’t wearing pinstripes, and that’s not a tragedy. 

In fact, it’s possibly a blessing in disguise. Before you throw your remote at the TV or tweet out your frustrations like Nick Turturro, let’s break it down—and maybe have a little fun while we do.

DEAR JUAN SOTO pic.twitter.com/1eNeWCYTlO

— Big Nick Turturro (@NickTurturro1) December 9, 2024

First, let’s give Hal Steinbrenner a round of applause. The Yankees didn’t lose Soto because they were cheap. Oh no, Hal opened the vault and offered Soto more cash than any of us could even dream about. Seriously, the offer was so jaw-dropping it made Aaron Judge’s record-breaking contract look like a Costco discount. They were ready to pay Soto more than they ever paid Derek Jeter. Derek. Freaking. Jeter. Let that sink in.

But Soto? He just couldn’t deal with being the second fiddle. Aaron Judge is the face of the Yankees, the captain, the one fans chant for. Soto wanted to be the main attraction. Ego much? Sorry, Juan, but New York isn’t a place for second-tier divas when we’ve got a leader like Judge. The Mets was the right fit.

Now let’s talk about our crosstown rivals. Steve Cohen swooped in with an offer that screams desperation. And hey, Mets fans, enjoy it while it lasts because in about five years, you’ll be stuck with an overpriced DH who can’t run, can’t field, and is nursing injuries from years of overuse. Soto’s not even a five-tool player. Let’s face it, the Mets didn’t make a smart baseball move—they made a move to stick it to the Yankees. Classic Mets.

Do we really think this is a championship-defining contract? It feels more like a billionaire playing “anything you can do, I can do better.” Spoiler: he can’t. Soto’s contract might just go down as the biggest albatross in MLB history. Yankees fans, you dodged a bullet. The Mets? They have Bobby Bonilla 2.0.

The system is broken. You know that right? Let’s address the elephant in the room: baseball’s salary system is a circus act. $760 million for one player? It’s insane. The Yankees were ready to commit, but maybe it’s a good thing they didn’t. This money can—and should—be spent more wisely.

And so, here's what I say; if Hal was willing to splash that kind of cash on Soto, then he has no excuse not to fix the other holes in this roster. First and third base need upgrades. The rotation? Oh, it’s screaming for reinforcements. Max Fried and Corbin Burnes, anyone? GET THEM BOTH. With just a fraction of what they offered Soto, the Yankees can bring in two legitimate starters and still have cash left over for a power-hitting outfielder.

Think about it: instead of one Soto, we could have multiple stars bolstering this team. That’s not losing—it’s a strategic win.

So, Yankees fans, take a deep breath. This isn’t about Hal being cheap or Brian Cashman losing his touch. It’s about Juan Soto making a decision that wasn’t the right fit for New York. Instead of sulking, let’s see this as an opportunity. The Yankees can still make moves, spend smartly, and build a more well-rounded team.

Who knows? By the time Soto’s hobbling around Citi Field as a glorified pinch hitter, the Yankees could be hoisting another trophy—or two.  

In Hal we trust. Now, Hal, get us those pitchers and let’s go win something, shall we?