As a longtime admirer of Duquette’s insight, I find his confidence in the Yankees’ ability to land Soto both reassuring and intriguing. Duquette’s deep knowledge of baseball economics and team-building makes his take worth noting, especially as the Yankees seem determined to pair Soto’s talent with their already star-studded lineup.
But here’s the catch: while Yankees fans might be ready to pop champagne at the thought of Soto in pinstripes, there’s an elephant in the room—and it’s wearing a Mets cap. Enter Steve Cohen, the Mets' billionaire owner with pockets deeper than the Mariana Trench. If Cohen decides Soto fits his vision for the Mets, he could easily swoop in with an even more extravagant offer.
That’s the scary part. Cohen has shown he’s not afraid to outspend everyone to get what he wants. While the Yankees' legacy and Soto's potential appeal for playing in the Bronx are strong selling points, money talks—and Cohen can make it scream.
However, Jon Heyman says it best when he says the Yankees have a secret weapon in this derby: Aaron Judge. Soto might end up making double what Judge earns, but the Yankees’ captain has already made it clear he doesn’t care. From the start, Judge said he wouldn’t mind if Soto signed a bigger deal, and that kind of selflessness could play a huge role in luring Soto to New York.
Heyman says Soto reportedly loves the idea of having Judge hitting behind him in the lineup and views him as the ideal clubhouse leader. Soto may be the most talented young hitter in baseball, but even the brightest stars benefit from a steady presence like Judge—a leader who knows what it takes to win in the Bronx.
So, while I share Duquette’s optimism about the Yankees’ chances, we can’t ignore the lurking presence of the Mets’ owner. If this offseason has taught us anything, it’s that no deal is done until it’s done. But with Judge in the fold and the Yankees pulling out all the stops, that Mets bubble will not stop bubbling.
Stay Tuned.
