ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST, BUT WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR BOONE

Forgive me for this post dad, but I can't hold back anymore. My dad has been a Mets fan forever. He's from Queens after all. My mom is a Bronx girl. I got my baseball passion from her. So it saddens me to set myself up for the potential that my dad sees this post shortly after Father's Day but.....

Good Grief the Mets are a trainwreck. I mean, I am not delusional to think that we aren't but the Mets can't seem to get anything right. Queens is the land of former Yankees that sucked or failed with us and they still do. The change of scenery didn't fix anything.

The list of 2025 Yankee castoffs include Luke Weaver, pathetic Devin Williams, money chaser Juan Soto and now fired manager Carlos Mendoza. You know...the old Yankees bench coach that was Aaron Boone's right hand man. Yeah, him. He couldn't effectively lead the flawed roster that Steve Cohen bought and constructed for him.

The Yankees and the Mets are similar teams. Filled with big names, big money spent and flaws up the wazoo. They both love their analytics and think they can out slug anyone but they fall flat. The Mets are as flat as you can get in last place with a 35-49 record. The Yankees have a bruised ego with a 48-34 record and are back in second place. There's one major difference though.....

The Mets have an axe to grind and a chip on their shoulder. They have big money behind them to buy anything they need so they can finally win a World Series again. The Mets aren't getting where they need to be. They aren't winning, Cohen knows a change needs to be made.....so they made one. They weren't gonna wait around for Mendoza to have a breakthrough. Mendoza was fired but Baboonie is that unwanted house guest that just won't leave for the last nine seasons.

We've all wanted to evict Baboonie for years now. The Yankees won't do it though because they like their insanity. They like sticking with the same things that are proven to be ineffective since 2018. It's just easier to stick with it hoping for something to finally click and magically work. That's our mathematical strategy to win.

The Mets may have a better long term strategy, I don't know. I've seen a lot of crazy over the years. One of the things I remember the most growing up was how many times my dad would sit in front of our tv and watch "Let's Go Mets!" on VHS. I have to wonder if the Mets will be able to get back to that before we do.

We certainly aren't winning anything under Baboonie.....he should suffer the same fate as Mendoza.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

LIKE THIS? READ THIS:

BOONE & MENDOZA ARE EXACTLY THE SAME MANAGER

FOR THE LOVE OF THE YANKEES, A TRUE FAN PERSPECTIVE

Ladies and Gentlemen, a post from a Bleeding Yankee Blue reader, you should all take a look today. Thank you Steve.

To my frustrated fans. Let me introduce myself through my 80 years of Yankee history. I was born and raised in the Bronx. At birth, I was practically swaddled in a Yankee blue blanket. So, it began.

From ages 1-5, I knew little about baseball, but I was heavily influenced by my older cousin to become a Yankee fan — much to the dismay of his younger brother, a diehard Dodger fan. I attended my first Yankee game at age 6 with my father. There in right field was #6, who would ultimately take #7 and move to center field. The Mick. I was hooked on him and the team from that moment on.

Loving the excitement of Yankee baseball, I would attend 20-30 games a year, paying only 25 cents plus my school pass. What excitement those years were under the ownership of Topping and Webb.

Darkness and clouds arrived in 1964 with the purchase of the Yankees by CBS. The team became nothing more than their CASH COW. I persevered and still loved the Yankees, though with annual disappointment.

The clouds finally cleared when George Steinbrenner purchased the team. He was tough on players, but he loved the Yankees. He directed and spent whatever it took to build a championship team. With George’s passing, and the transfer of control to his sons — ultimately to Hal Steinbrenner — the dark clouds slowly began to roll back in.

The first problem with the Yankees, resulting in a non-championship team, is that Hal loves his NYFC and Manchester soccer interests. The Yankees are once again becoming a CASH COW for ownership.

The second problem is Brian Cashman. Yes, his budget is restricted by Hal, but he has lost his eye for young, quality talent and has resorted to band-aid fixes — mainly finding players who are nearly over the hill to fill holes.

The third problem, as most of us see it, is Aaron Boone. He is not a championship-caliber manager. Robert Casey has stated that numerous times on Bleeding Yankee Blue. He lacks natural managerial instinct. He continues to play struggling players simply because he likes them. His bullpen management is often atrocious.

The fourth problem, in my opinion, is scouting. The Yankees are no longer finding enough high-quality talent capable of thriving at the major league level.

Now the time has come to either make or break this year’s team. We need strong right-handed hitters batting .290-.300, especially at third base and shortstop. I am not a fan of Volpe there. We need to find a catcher who is not only solid defensively but also an offensive threat. Clean out the bullpen and get rid of the mediocrity. Find a true closer who can protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning.

We can only hope Boone finally understands both his strengths and his WEAKNESSES and adjusts accordingly. Move away from the automatic lefty/righty obsession. Stay away from algorithm-driven, numbers-only baseball. As a former baseball player myself (non-pro), I know that a left-handed hitter and a right-handed hitter still carry the same strike zone — only the angle changes. There is too much overthinking behind the concept, especially when you bat Goldschmidt for Rice in critical situations.

I hope these improvements are not just a pipe dream before the clouds roll back in once again. A brief break of sunshine appeared when Hal allowed Juan Soto to be signed. At least we were rewarded with a World Series appearance.

If Hal, Cashman, and Boone are not replaced or held accountable, I will once again be crying Yankee Blues.

That's my take. 

--Steve Cohen

BELLINGER IS SLIPPING AWAY ...BUT HAL DOESN'T CARE!

 "I've got ears. I know what's expected of me." - Hal Steinbrenner November 2024

My how times have changed. Those were Hal's famous last words when he was chasing after Juan Soto before losing him to the Mets. Funny how he was willing to over spend $760 million on Soto over 16 years but won't open his wallet for any difference makers this season.

I'm sick and tired of it. This offseason is a bust. Hal said he knows what is expected of him but....we don't have a championship caliber worthy team. We have returning Yankees, including an expensive Trent Grisham, Ryan Weathers and then some minor league dopes to bolster depth. This is a wild card team at best. That's even a pipe dream right now.

The Yankees are still paying chicken with Cody Bellinger and Scott Boras and now they are just daring anyone else to come to the table and out bid them according to Bob Klapisch.

I get it, because that is a "fair" offer. But when you have teams willing to spend stupid money like the Mets and the damn Dodgers, it's a dangerous line to tip toe over. The bigger problem for me is....if Cody doesn't come back the Yankees are screwed because all of the impact bats are gone. They have new teams. The Yankees have a weaker team and suddenly we are stuck with Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones for better or worse! That's not how a competitive team like the Yankees should be operating.

This winter is an absolute bust. Brian Cashman and Hal have literally pissed it away. If the season starts tomorrow, we are so screwed. Our rivals are better and have meaningful upgrades to their teams where as we have the 2025 roster with no Cody and a weaker offense and outfield. All of this to save a buck and probably start golfing in November.

All because Hal wants to save some money. The writing was on the wall in November last year. "Would it be ideal if I went down [with the payroll]? Of course. But does that mean that's going to happen? Of course not. We want to field a team we know could win a championship -- or we believe could win a championship," read more HERE. The Yankees have the means to pursue any player they want to improve their team and make them more competitive.....they just choose not to.

And in this case they have chosen mediocrity. Cody is going to be playing in a different uniform this season....and the Yankees are going to be a bottom feeder. The more Hal does this and proves to us that he doesn't care it becomes easier for us to not care enough to spend money on tickets, merchandise and overpriced concessions so Hal makes less money. Maybe Hal isn't smart enough to realize that.

Hal is playing a dangerous game here. If Cody does not return it is proof that Hal doesn't care about the legacy of this team anymore. We care more than he does! Just sell the team Hal.....we deserve better and I am just sick of you at this point!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

THE CLOCK IS TICKING FOR TATSUYA IMAI! WHERE ARE THE YANKEES?!

Here we are, in the final hours of 2025. The countdown to 2026 is on....but that is not the only clock we are watching. Tatsuya Imai must sign a MLB contract by January 2, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET, this is when his posting window expires. Things are developing, but are any of those developments with the Yankees?

Last week we wrote YANKEES LATEST RUMORS JUST PUT A DAMPER ON MY HOLIDAY! because Jack Curry put that spark of any meaningful Yankee moves out by dumping cold water on it. It wasn't a surprise to hear but it was still a disappointment considering Yankee fans are on pins and needles waiting for a big splash.

Now yesterday, Newsweek had THIS update. Imai is rumored to be in LA meeting with interested teams. Previous teams that were once hot and heavy in the rumor mill seem to have faded (maybe) and now suddenly it is a show down again between the Chicago Cubs and the Yankees. The rumor mill thinks it comes down to us or the Cubbies. We are both a "fit" for him.

Newsweek says the Cubs have the edge in a deal that could be worth $150 million. Who knows if that is true, but the Cubs desperately need pitching. We need an arsenal, but we could be closer to taking on the Dodgers than the Cubs. Imai wants to play the Dodgers and beat them so this is where my fantasy kicks in and says we should have the edge. Besides, the Yankees were willing to spend stupid money for Juan Soto, this is pocket change compared to what he got.

This winter has been strange, it is hard to know what to believe anymore. It is hard for me to truly believe that the Yankees are willing to make the investments needed to improve this team. Brian Cashman is missing in action and Hal Steinbrenner has to limit spending and obsess over protecting profits after giving the seal of approval on a lot of bad Cashman deals.

This is one of the deals the Yankees need to make. Sign Imai. Sign Cody Bellinger, add some relievers. Get it done already. It's what is needed to get back to being champions. Seriously....where the hell is Brian Cashman?! This franchise is losing before the season even starts!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

IT'S NOT ABOUT HOW YOU START THE SEASON; IT'S HOW YOU FINISH!

I'm not gonna lie, I am a little bummed that we ended as a Wild Card, because that's never good enough. We always want more, and we expect it. It's not the scenario that we want but we at least get to see October baseball. We can't say the same for that other New York team.

I say this thinking about my friends and coworkers who are Mets fans. On Tuesday, we play the Red Sox and on Tuesday the Mets are playing golf.....or maybe eating their feelings. They certainly would have a lot of feelings to eat. The Yankees could've been in the same situation. They had some of the same flaws, but the Yankees were able to figure them out.

At the beginning of the season, the Yankees were panicking after losing Gerrit Cole. I was poking fun of the Mets because after spending a stupid amount of money on Juan Soto, they created a science experiment for a pitching rotation that included converting blown save connoisseur Clay Holmes from a bullpen role into a starter. How could that not be a complete disaster? If you are gonna blow $765 million on one guy, at least build a formidable pitching staff so Soto wasn't working on overdrive to make up the runs they were sure to give up with a crappy pitching staff.

At first, both the Yankees and the Mets started out strong. Of course, we are used to seeing that with the Yankees. Both teams had an early lead in their divisions, and it looked like both teams invested well. They held a major-league best 45-24 record heading into June 13 at 21 games over .500 and a 5.5-game lead in the NL East. It was the dream team that Steven Cohen envisioned when he spent lavishly to win it all. Until it all fell apart with a 38-55 record from June 13 to September 28 to finish the year with a disappointing 83-79 record. Both teams did a free fall, but the Yankees managed to pull it together.

The Mets collapse was brutal. Their poor offseason pitching decisions caught up to them while the Yankees got creative internally. I still say Carlos Rodon evolved into the pitcher I never expected this season and then came Cam Schlittler who blew everyone away....both the Yankees and opposing hitters that couldn't adapt to his style. He proved himself enough to earn a role as the third starter in the Wild Card series coming up.

Both teams had a freefall, but the Yankees managed to pull themselves up by their cleats and salvage the season late. Thanks to guys like Ben Rice and Aaron Judge cashing in on big moments they won enough games to finish with a 94-68 record tying their record from 2024. They might not be division winners this time around, but they are playing in October.

It's proof that as nice as it is to see a red-hot start to the season, a strong finish is just as important. The Yankees managed to right the ship and are playing October baseball. The Mets and Carlos Mendoza on the other hand have a long, agonizing winter to get through and I'm more than okay with that.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

THE YANKEES ARE CARRYING BOONE ON THEIR BACK...

Cause it's clear that he can't help them.

The Yankees did it again. Yes, you read that right. They won another game. I know, I had to double-check too (I'm kidding!) Suddenly, they look like an actual baseball team and not some weird lab experiment gone wrong from the analytics department. Seven wins in a row. That’s not just a streak, that’s a pulse.

Sure, they beat the White Sox—but hey, let’s not nitpick. A win is a win, and when the opponent is basically a minor league club in major league uniforms, you take it, smile, and pretend it was hard.

Aaron Judge launched his 42nd home run because that’s what he does—carry this team like he’s moving furniture by himself. Cody Bellinger chipped in with a bloop single in the 11th that gave the Yankees the lead, and suddenly people are whispering that Bellinger is actually better than Juan Soto. And honestly? They might not be wrong.

I mean, if you’re one of those spreadsheet-loving nerds who talks in acronyms like fWAR (seriously, it sounds like a bad video game), Bellinger is outpacing Soto this season. He’s hitting, running, fielding—and unlike Soto, he doesn’t look like he’s allergic to defense. At this point, Soto is just a guy who swings really hard, while Bellinger is giving you the whole package. Hot take? Maybe. Correct take? Absolutely.

Meanwhile, Austin Wells homered (still batting .210), Jazz Chisholm Jr. doubled in another run, and even Anthony Volpe managed to look competent for a moment, driving in one more. Miracles everywhere. The Yankees are now just two games back of Toronto.

So, here’s the deal: keep winning, take the division, and ride that momentum. Because let’s be honest—the Wild Card is for teams that like participation trophies. The Yankees should be aiming higher... meanwhile all Boone talked about weeks ago was hoping to "squeak into the wildcard"... the dude was already giving up. But not us fans. 

But to win the World Series? That requires Aaron Boone to somehow not mess it all up. And if history tells us anything, Boone has the magic touch of turning a contender into a postseason pumpkin. Seven wins in a row or not, the only question is: can the players keep saving this team in spite of him?

HARRISON BADER ALSO BACK IN THE YANKEE TRADE MIX?

I know the Yankees just got Austin Slater, but why is Bader chatter so significant on the web right now? 

The Yankees are technically winning. Yes, they’re on the right side of the standings most nights, and yes, there’s a good team in there somewhere. But let’s not pretend the ride has been smooth. If you’re a Yankees fan, every game feels like a caffeine-fueled panic attack waiting to erupt. And nothing screams “don’t trust this team” like Anthony Volpe air-mailing the very first ground ball of the game against the Rays.

Sloppy. Careless. And worse—it’s becoming a pattern.

Sure, the Yankees are streaky, and when they’re hot, they sizzle. But their defense lately has resembled something between a Little League tryout and a blooper reel. It’s frustrating. It’s preventable. And it’s the kind of stuff that will get you sent home in October with a sad handshake and an “at least you tried” T-shirt with Boone's face on it. Hmm... Maybe I'll make that T-shirt.

Which is exactly why the Yankees have to tighten up their defense. The lineup can’t carry everything. Not when the shortstop is booting grounders and the outfield sometimes feels like a GPS-less wilderness.

Enter: Harrison Bader, the defensive dynamo who once roamed center field in the Bronx like a caffeinated cheetah.

According to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo, the Yankees—along with the Mets and Dodgers—have shown interest in reuniting with Bader, who’s currently playing for a Twins team that’s going nowhere fast. Minnesota has already started selling, and Bader, on a one-year deal, is seen as a classic trade-deadline rental.

Let’s look at the numbers: 94 games this year, a .254 average, .337 OBP, .439 slugging, and 12 home runs. Not elite, but solid—and more importantly, Bader brings something this Yankees team sorely needs: defense that doesn’t make you spill your beer in frustration.

Yankees fans remember what it was like when Bader patrolled center field. He hustled. He got dirty. He threw his body around like he had a second one in the clubhouse. Was he always healthy? No. But when he was, you never questioned the effort. And let’s be honest: give me a guy playing for his next contract over a “superstar” who jogs to first like he’s saving his energy for a photo shoot.

(Yes, that was a Juan Soto reference. You saw it.)

Bader makes sense for the Yankees, especially as a rental with a mutual option. He knows the team. The fans already love him. And Brian Cashman? Well, he was practically giddy when Bader first arrived. After acquiring him in 2022, Cashman said, "Harrison Bader is one of the elite center field defenders in the game." That wasn’t just fluff. It was truth—and something this current Yankees roster desperately needs.

So, will they pull the trigger and bring Bader back?

We’ll see. But the fact that his name is floating around the Bronx again tells you all you need to know: the Yankees are finally realizing they need help, especially with the glove. And if you’re a fan watching Volpe throw balls into orbit, you’re probably hoping that help arrives before October shows up and reality crashes the party.

MICHAEL KAY CRUSHES JUAN SOTO FOR BEING A GREEDY PIG

 Oink, oink... I'm thrilled you didn't make the All-Star game, Juan Soto.

You’d think signing a 15-year, $765 million mega-deal—with potential to balloon over $800 million—would be enough to make a guy happy. But apparently, for Juan Soto, it's still not quite satisfying. Because now, he’s whining about missing out on the All-Star Game… not for the honor, not for the fans, but for the bonus check he didn’t get to cash.

Juan Soto was asked if he would have liked to have made the All-Star team:

"What do you think? I think it's a lot of money on the table if I make it" pic.twitter.com/OTkqmR6zVx

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 9, 2025

Yep, $100,000 was “left on the table,” as Soto put it when asked about not making the All-Star team. That’s what had him bent out of shape. Not pride. Not legacy. Cold, hard cash. As if the $47 million he’s making this season alone wasn't enough to soften the blow of an off year.

Talk about tone-deaf.

Michael Kay—God bless him—went in on Soto, and rightfully so:

“The last I looked, you are making a smidge under $47M this season. And you are upset that you aren’t making the All-Star Game because of an All-Star bonus you have in your contract? Do you know how bad that looks that you said that?”

Bad? It's brutal. It reeks of greed and delusion. Soto is having a meh season, by his own standards—and yet, instead of humility, he delivers a cash register sound effect.

Let’s be real. The contract was already outrageous. Steve Cohen and the Mets basically handed Soto the GDP of a small country, and in return, they got a guy who’s more worried about his All-Star stipend than actually playing like an All-Star.

And when Kay heard Soto’s response?

“I thought it was some [artificial intelligence] nonsense. I said, ‘There is no way that he said that. There is no way that someone I know, that is a smart dude and is represented by one of the smartest people I have ever met in the business, Scott Boras, would ever say something like that.’”

But he did say it. Because this is who Soto has become: a guy lost in the zeros, blinded by the bank account, completely detached from reality. The All-Star snub didn’t sting because of pride—it stung because of a missed payment.

And honestly, that’s not a player you build a championship team around. That’s a walking direct deposit. Enjoy him, Mets fans. We’re good over here.

Go off, Michael. You’re speaking for all of us.

THE NATS HAVE THE BALLS TO MAKE THE MOVES THE YANKEES WON'T

I'm not gonna lie, the baseball fan in me is shocked and a little jealous about the moves the Washington Nationals just made. In case you missed it, the Washington Nationals just fired General Manager Mike Rizzo AND Manager Dave Martinez, read more HERE.

The Nationals have been struggling. The Yankees have been struggling for almost a month now. You can't compare the Yankees and Nats but, at the end of the day this is all about winning and the Nationals are 37-53 and in last place in the NL East, so they aren't winning. The Yankees are 49-41 and three games behind the Blue Jays in the AL East now. That series was a punch to the stomach, and after being swept they have no one to blame but themselves.

The Yankees have high expectations. The expectations and the results just don't match. The same is true for the Nationals, and I didn't expect them to be at the bottom of the NL East. The difference between these two franchises is the Nationals were smart enough (and brave enough) to make the move. If it isn't working, you gotta make the move.

The Yankees and the Nationals have something else in common. They both have really struggled to develop their own talent. Seriously, the Nationals haven't developed their own talent. When I think of their homegrown talent, I think of Stephen Strasburg and Juan Soto....that's it. The Yankees developed the Core Four back in the day. Aside from that, Aaron Judge is the next prominent name many years later. That's it.

It's interesting to see how two different teams, have some of the same challenges. But this is where the Nationals prove they are willing to make tough choices in hopes to move forward. The Yankees practice a business model of insanity, doing the same things over and over again hoping for a magical change in their underachieving ways. It's what I call "wash, rinse and repeat." It's ended the same way since 2009. The Nationals on the other hand, made the uncomfortable choice of parting with both their GM and manager to rebuild with new leadership. 

I'm just tired of the free pass that Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone have. The Yankees had one hell of a freefall from the AL East standings. That is a result of poor leadership. It comes from Cashman not knowing how to build a championship caliber team, and it comes from Boone coddling his team, and being soft. This is not how you win.

The Nationals are smart enough to realize that, but the Yankees aren't....and it will continue to cost them. I only hope the Yankees come to their senses and do the same thing. I'm not gonna hold my breath though....

Robert Casey has a piece coming out at noon today that you need to read! Enough is Enough.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

YANKEE FANS WANT CHANGE WHEN IT COMES TO CLUELESS BOONE

So let me get this straight. Now Yankee fans are mad at Aaron Boone? Now that the Red Sox handed us a fresh plate of embarrassment? Where were you all when the rest of us were hoarse from screaming about this guy’s managerial brain fog for years? Welcome to the rage parade—nice of you to show up—but honestly, we could’ve used your pitchforks a few seasons ago.

Let’s stop pretending that Aaron Boone’s winning record means anything. Yeah, he's got some regular season numbers. Whoopee. You know who else had a winning record? Every substitute teacher who rolled the ball out in gym class and called it a day. Boone’s record is the equivalent of passing with a C-minus because the test was open book and graded on a curve. If you don’t win in October, it’s all just mediocre window dressing.

This team hasn’t won a championship under Boone. And this isn't the little-engine-that-could Oakland A’s. This is the New York Yankees. Championships are the standard. Mediocrity shouldn’t be tolerated, much less rewarded. And Boone? Mediocrity might as well be his middle name. Aaron "That’ll Do" Boone. It fits.

Let’s talk decision-making. Or lack thereof.

Luke Weaver? Boone squeezed every drop out of him like a used tube of toothpaste. Surprise! Now Weaver’s hamstring is toast. Then there's Ryan Yarbrough—Boone trots him out like he's Pedro Martinez in 2003, and surprise again, the guy gets torched.

The bullpen moves? Don’t even get me started. Ian Hamilton got the call the other night when several better options were sipping Gatorade and blinking in confusion. It was like watching someone grab a fork to unclog a garbage disposal—dangerous, dumb, and entirely preventable.

But the pièce de résistance? The Carlos Rodón debacle. Yankees were up 3-2 in the fifth after a rare DJ LeMahieu home run. Boone, trying to get just one more inning out of Rodón—because apparently learning from mistakes is optional—left him in. Walk. Hit by pitch. Boom. Three-run homer by former Yankee Carlos Narváez. Just like that, the lead was gone and so was any shred of logic in Boone’s brain.

And here’s the thing: as Yanks Go Yard put it, nobody’s buying Boone’s postgame excuse. Rodón had already shown he was teetering—he's the kind of pitcher who goes from dominant to dumpster fire with the grace of a falling piano. So why was he still in the game? Because Boone refuses to trust his gut. Or worse… maybe there’s nothing in the gut to trust.

This is what happens when your entire philosophy is built around spreadsheets. Boone is glued to the analytics fed to him by Michael Fishman—who, let’s face it, should probably be using his data wizardry to simulate wins in The Show instead of meddling with real ones.

Look, I hate to be that guy, but maybe Boone’s just not wired for this job. Something’s off. The game moves too fast for him. Strategy flies over his head like a missed cutoff throw. The Yankees need a manager, not a lab tech with a dugout pass.

This can’t wait until the end of the season. Fire him now. Not after a seven-game losing streak. Not after another playoff disaster. Now. Before we waste yet another year.

Boone’s time is up. The fans know it. The players probably know it. The wins may be there on paper, but on the field? It's mediocrity in motion.

And we’re done watching the same rerun.

BELLINGER AIN'T HALF-BAKED. HE'S LOCKED IN!

Not every player barrels into a new team like a wrecking ball through drywall. Sometimes it takes a minute — or a month — to find your swing, your rhythm, and your favorite deli order. Baseball isn’t plug-and-play. It’s chess with cleats and curveballs, and when a guy changes teams, there’s more going on than just a new jersey. You’ve got new teammates, new coaches, new expectations, new pressure… and let’s not pretend New York’s weather doesn't throw a wrinkle into things either. This isn’t San Diego sunshine. It’s Gotham. And some dudes just weren’t built for it.

Case in point: Juan Soto. Don’t get me wrong — Soto was a stud. But watching him this season, you can’t help but think he’s standing in the Bronx with pinstripes on in his daydreams. The poor guy looks like he accidentally swiped left on the Yankees in the offseason and now he’s stuck in the wrong uniform, wondering where it all went wrong.

Meanwhile, in the corner of the Yankees' clubhouse where humility and hustle live, Cody Bellinger is thriving. Sure, the intro wasn’t perfect. He came out of the gate like a guy trying to remember if he left the stove on — hitting just .196 with three homers in his first 29 games. But guess what? Baseball’s a game of adjustments. It’s about making the tweaks, finding the groove, and ignoring the noise.

And Bellinger? He’s locked in now.

Since May 3, Belli has been dialed up to MVP mode again — rocking a .957 OPS and reminding everyone why the Yankees were right to bring him in. He’s dropped the hammer at the plate, hitting .317 with six home runs over his last 29 games. That includes a 15-game hitting streak where he mashed five bombs and looked every bit the guy who used to break pitchers’ spirits in Los Angeles.

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Need more proof? Look no further than Thursday's series-clinching win over Cleveland. Bellinger, alongside Max Fried’s gem on the mound, was a key piece of the victory puzzle. And even in games like last night’s 9-6 win over the Red Sox — where he only managed one hit — it’s clear: the man is hot. His swing is loud. His glove is smooth. And the confidence? It's contagious.

There’s no drama with Belli. No ego war, no tabloid fodder. Just a guy playing ball, fitting in, and quietly becoming the missing piece behind Aaron Judge — the sun around which this Yankees lineup orbits. And look, I know how crazy this might’ve sounded back in April, but here we are in June, and I’ll say it: I’m happier having Cody Bellinger than I would’ve been with Juan Soto.

Soto's talent is undeniable. But there’s something to be said about fit — and Bellinger fits!

MONTAS IS JUST MILKING THE METS DELIVERING A WHOLE LOT OF NOTHING

Look, I tolerated Frankie Montas when the Yankees brought him to the Bronx. Key word: tolerated. I didn’t throw a parade, but I didn’t burn the jersey either. Then came the betrayal. Turns out, Montas was already damaged goods when he strolled into Yankeeland—banged up, kept it quiet, and crossed his fingers that grit alone could get him through it. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. The man ghosted the rotation, took up residence on the injured list, and cashed every check along the way. Honestly, if that’s not performance art, I don’t know what is.

That was the turning point. The injury, the silence, the paycheck—it all screamed fraud. So when Steve Cohen and the Mets decided to add Montas to their circus this offseason, I actually felt a twinge of joy. Not because I like seeing a pitcher flame out, but because, finally, this was their mess. Let the blue-and-orange brigade deal with it. After all, Steve Cohen isn’t exactly Theo Epstein. He’s more like Monopoly Man with a Citi Field season ticket package.

Back in February here on Bleeding Yankee Blue, I wrote this little gem:

“Fresh off a $34 million, two-year contract with the Mets, Montas is once again dealing with an injury... sidelined with a significant lat strain... requiring a PRP injection and at least 6-8 weeks of rest before he can even think about throwing again. Wow.”

Well, it’s June now. Tick tock.

Montas just made his third rehab start—this time against Triple-A hitters. And if this was his grand comeback tour, he might want to skip the encore. Four innings, five earned runs, and four home runs surrendered. Three of those bombs went to the same guy. I mean, come on. This wasn’t a Cy Young audition, it was a demolition derby. Sure, he hit the strike zone—43 of 61 pitches went for strikes—but when every strike leaves the yard, what exactly are we celebrating?

Let’s be clear: Montas looks nowhere near ready for a major league mound. And my question is this—why throw millions at a guy who has a history of hiding injuries from teams paying him to perform like an ace? That’s not just risky—it’s dumb. But hey, that’s the Mets, right? Baseball’s eternal little brother. The redheaded stepchild of the MLB. The franchise that shops at the Yankees’ discount rack and wonders why everything smells like Bengay.

The Mets love a good Yankees leftover. It’s like they’re the highest-paying customer at the baseball pawn shop. “Ooh, you’re selling off a pitcher with shoulder issues and a vague sense of ethics? We’ll take him! Full price!” By the time these guys hit Queens, they’re either broken down, burnt out, or both. And in Montas’ case, the return window closed two surgeries ago.

Let’s zoom out for a second. The league as a whole? It’s broken too. Owners hand out contracts like candy on Halloween—bags of cash with zero accountability. Sure, players aren’t property. No one’s saying they are. But if you’re signing for $34 million, is it too much to ask that you show up to work in one piece? We’ve reached a point where there’s no renegotiation, no repercussions—just rehab stints and rehab checks.

And Mets fans? Brace yourselves. You won’t be seeing Montas take a meaningful pitch for a long, long time. Maybe not ever. And while that’s already tragic, here’s the kicker: the Mets didn’t even sign him because they believed in his talent. No, they signed him because they needed to keep the piggy bank warm for Juan Soto. A guy who can’t field, can’t run, and apparently forgot how to hit. But don’t worry—he’s “trying really hard.” Priceless.

Steve Cohen loves to call himself a businessman. Maybe on Wall Street. But in baseball? The guy’s running an open bar for underachievers. He throws money at every problem like he’s hosting a wedding in Vegas. And sure, maybe the Mets are technically good. But good teams don’t make dumb investments like this. The math doesn’t add up, Steve.

Bottom line: Frankie Montas is toast. And Cohen? He’s not a genius, he’s just a rich guy with a baseball team and a short attention span. Until the Mets stop playing nurse to Yankee castoffs and start demanding performance, they’ll always be what they are—just the Mets.

JUAN SOTO SAYS IT'S "NOT EASY". NO ONE CARES.

You know what’s worse than overpaying for a car that breaks down the moment you drive it off the lot? Handing out a near billion contract to a guy who suddenly forgets how to play baseball the moment the ink dries.

Juan Soto is the latest poster child for why long-term mega contracts are often the dumbest financial moves in pro sports. One great season—or even a few—gets a guy generational wealth, and the team gets... a sulking outfielder who looks like he’d rather be anywhere but Queens.

Steve Cohen, baseball’s biggest spender, made the ultimate bet when he pulled Soto out of pinstripes and plopped him into Citi Field. And so far, it's gone about as well as trying to light a cigar in a hurricane. The Mets are stuck with a guy who isn’t hitting, never stole bases, can't play the field, and now apparently can’t crack a smile either.

In a recent interview with Ken Rosenthal, Soto poured his heart out, saying:

"It’s not easy at all... after you make a commitment for this long, it takes you time."

Cry me a river, Juan. You’re not a rookie switching from Triple-A to the show—you’re a superstar (allegedly) making nearly half a billion dollars. You don’t get “adjustment time.” You get expected results.

And now Soto sits in the outfield, looking like a man who just realized he moved into the wrong house and can’t get a refund. Tough. That’s the business. You took the deal, you cashed the check—now you earn it.

The Yankees, to their credit, saw this coming. Their front office deserves a standing ovation for dodging this trainwreck. Letting Soto walk may go down as one of the smartest decisions in their history. Meanwhile, Steve Cohen is lighting his money on fire and watching it burn from a luxury suite.

Soto’s been a disaster defensively. Advanced metrics? Don’t bother. He’s a black hole in right field. The Mets didn’t pay that much money for “a tough adjustment” or “finding comfort”—they paid for MVP-level production. Instead, they paid for a pout.

And let’s not pretend Soto is the victim here. His agent, the ever-savvy Scott Boras, worked his magic, hyping Soto into the stratosphere. And why wouldn’t he? Every extra zero on the contract means another boat for Boras. But now the party’s over, and it’s Soto who has to show up every day and prove he was worth it.

Spoiler alert: he’s not.

Cohen should be furious. If he had any sense, he’d call Soto into his office and say, “Look, we need to talk. You’re not living up to what we paid for. We can’t go 14 more years like this.” And he’d be right. There’s no room in a billion-dollar baseball plan for sluggish feet, weak at-bats, and “sad boy” energy.

Bottom line? This is a business. And in business, if you don't deliver, you're out. Juan Soto better wake up and play like someone worth the historic contract he signed—or Cohen should start asking for a serious renegotiation. Because right now, Soto looks less like a cornerstone of the Mets’ future and more like an anchor dragging them straight to the bottom of the NL East.

Get it together, Juan. Or get ready to be remembered not as the next great Met, but as the most expensive mistake in baseball history.

JUAN SOTO: ALL MONEY, NO SWAG!

I'm sure I am not alone but, I have some Mets friends and there tune sure has changed a lot since December. So, after taking it gracefully for months, I decided to have a little fun this week. I found the Juan Soto milk carton several times in my feed on X and I had to have some fun with it. Soto is missing....and Mets fans are hating it.

Meanwhile, yes I am loving it. I will admit that I loved watching Soto look so lost in the Subway Series. I know realistically he won't stay in this slump all season but seriously....what a change from Soto in pinstripes to Soto in that other ugly New York uniform. What's missing?

I think David Cone said it best HERE. I've always been a big Coney fan, so when he talks, I listen. I think he hit the nail on the head here. Not for nothing, he knows what it is like to play for both teams so I really don't think anyone can relate to Soto the way he can.

"It just reminds me of what my ex-manager Joe Torre used to talk about a lot. And he was around it sort of at the end of his career, when analytics started to come into the game and make a big play and all the information in the big data era. He still wanted to talk about the heartbeat," Cone said. "He still managed the heartbeat of the player. And that’s what’s going on with Juan Soto. It’s the heartbeat. It's emotional. There’s no question about it. That's what leads to the confidence in the batter's box. That leads to the lack of the Soto shuffle. That's just feeling it, and that's clearly emotional. That's the human element that's going on with him. And I don't know how you work through that. That's something he's going to have to figure out himself. He's got a good support group around him that is going to give him everything he needs. But bottom line is, Juan Soto's got to feel it emotionally. And until he does, we're not going to see the same old swagger that we're used to seeing from him."

I think he's on to something there and I say that because when I was watching the series, I disagreed with some of what Michael Kay said. When Soto was at the plate being booed, he was smirking. Kay said he wasn't fazed by it, or letting it get to him....and I disagree. Plenty of players have been booed in Yankee stadium, but I feel like many of them did a much better job at just tuning it out as best as they could and just focusing on the at bat. His body language said the opposite and honestly it fueled my reaction to him watching at home. I became MORE vocal with every smirk he gave. He was letting all of the noise around him consume him....so I don't agree with Michael Kay at all. It's like we were watching a completely different series.

I think Soto is dealing with some feelings. I think he didn't want to be in the shadow of Aaron Judge. I think he thrived with Judge's support and protection and now he doesn't have that in Queens and he isn't dealing with it. Now he is the guy that needs to live up to his ridiculous salary and he hasn't figured out how to do it. He's choking, and he's lost the spark that he once had. He's a shadow of himself and until he deals with that his swag is all but gone. He's all money, no results.

So yeah, Soto belongs on the milk carton. He chose to leave the Bronx for the money so now he needs to MAN UP and deal with it. Or don't and let the rest of the baseball world watch him spiral out of control and flush Steve Cohen's money down the drain.

#SORRYNOTSORRY

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj