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

WILL SANTA DELIVER CODY BELLINGER TO THE YANKEES THIS WEEK?

This has been such a lackluster holiday season for Yankee fans so far. While the Mets continue to sign ghosts of Yankees past we sit around waiting for something exciting to happen. Something besides Yankees signing minor league castoffs...because that's all we have right now.

That could all change IF we could get Cody Bellinger back. But Cody's rumor mill has more ups and downs in it than I can even keep up with these days. No one really understands what his asking price is, and that became even more obvious when Yankees insider Jack Curry made an appearance Yankees Hot Stove on YES Network.

It's no secret Cody wants a multi-year deal with high annual value, and since he has Scott Boras as his agent that's exactly the kinds of deals he gets for his clients. The Yankees want Cody back but....there has been zero traction. According to NJ.com HERE, NO TEAM, has come close to the asking price for Cody. That could be good news for us....but that could be bad as well.

Back in November, MLB Trade Rumors posted their predictions for free agent signings, with Cody's prediction of 5 years and $140 million. The Mets and the Dodgers are in the mix for Cody, and we all know the Dodgers have no problems spending big money with deferrals and Steve Cohen threw his money around last winter only to not make the playoffs. He's looking to rebound this season.

If Cody's market isn't hopping right now, teams have plenty of time to wait and let it develop. With Kyle Tucker in the mix, Boras will likely want to see what he signs for to set the market and then let it play out from there. While we may be in a hurry for traction, we could be waiting a while for resolution. 

At this point, the Yankees really need to make some moves. If the Yankees don't make some moves and our rivals get stronger it's going to be a disaster. The Yankees were one of nine teams to surpass the $241 million base threshold and now have to pay $61.8 million in luxury tax penalties now. The Mets and Dodgers have a lot more to pay than that and they are not shying away from spending money....so I guess we will wait and see just how cheap Hal Steinbrenner is.

The outfield is an area of need for the Yankees. I've already said this before but the Yankees have Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez as backup options and neither of those are good enough. We've already seen Dominguez and Jones has struggled enough that he just made it to Triple-A this season....and he''' be 25 years old in May.  

Is Brian Cashman even working? It doesn't feel like it. I was really hoping for Cody under the tree this winter. It doesn't sound like he will be here for Christmas but I will still be happy if he's in pinstripes by Spring Training.

We really need some holiday magic around here...

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

PATH FOR THE YANKEES TO SIGNING IMAI JUST TOOK AN INTERESTING TURN

Since last week I have been on a major Tatsuya Imai watch. It hasn't subsided and now that there are rumors surfacing now about more teams that may no longer be in play, it makes the Yankees potential path to signing Imai even more fascinating. I said last week, I just want to see who he signs with.

Last week Imai said he didn't want to play for the Dodgers. He wants to play against them and beat them to win a championship. Ever since I have been hooked because I just love that attitude. I have been trying to avoid all headlines teasing about Imai and his Yankee connections, and I was actually doing a good job until recently. I am not looking to get emotionally attached to the idea he wears pinstripes....but I am seeing more and more headlines.

Yesterday, Sports Illustrated hinted that the Yankees may not be as crazy of a destination as I thought, check it out HERE. Two of Imai's other potential suitors MIGHT be out of the race. Buster Olney posted on X over the weekend.

I'm not going to hold my breath because anything is possible. The Giants have been looking to make a splash since they lost out on Aaron Judge and what better way to try to compete with the Dodgers? It's an interesting idea, Imai could sign with a division rival and have more opportunities to play against and beat other Japanese players. It's an angle that could work.

There's also still the Blue Jays. I get it, they just signed Dylan Cease to a seven year $210 million dollar commitment, but adding a second starter could really reinforce the Blue Jays abilities to get back to the postseason. They add another arm, and they really could be dangerous, to everyone not just the Yankees. If they want to make a real investment another pitcher with a potent bat will only help their chances of playing baseball in November again.

There's a team that can't be overlooked and we haven't heard as much about and that's the Mets. We could see another faceoff between Cohen and Steinbrenner. The Mets realistically need multiple arms to retool their roster after a disappointing 2025 season where starting pitching did not meet expectations. The Mets need arms that can get them deeper into games and as disappointing as last season was, I don't see them sitting back and playing it cool.

So this could be another team to watch. Cohen has deep pockets, and he's already proven he's not afraid to dig into them. He's not looking for another disappointing season, so Imai could be just the move he has on his radar. I could see it happening.... this has the stink of the Mets all over it.

The Yankees have not made a splash in the NPB market since Masahiro Tanaka, so this could be the opportunity, but I am still not going to give my hopes up. Is the path to signing him getting less crowded? My gut tells me no but.... I'm still watching attentively.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

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.

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.

PLAIN & SIMPLE: STEVE COHEN ISN'T GETTING WHAT HE PAID FOR

When Juan Soto signed with the New York Mets this past offseason, he didn't just accept a contract—he accepted a crown. A record-setting deal that made headlines for its size, scope, and symbolism: Steve Cohen’s Mets were not only willing to back up the Brinks truck, they were ready to build around Soto for the next decade and a half.

Yes, the Mets gave him the most money. More than the Yankees, more than the Dodgers, and more than anyone else even dared to offer. Soto chose the Mets, plain and simple. But now he has to show why he was worth that decision—not just in dollars, but in desire.

Instead, it’s been a slow, uninspiring start in Queens. And the questions are piling up fast.

Soto's body language? Flat. His smile? Nowhere to be found. His hustle? Noticeably missing. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Mets fans, already exhausted by years of bloated payrolls and underperformance, are beginning to turn. It's not just that Soto's struggling at the plate—it's that he doesn’t look like he cares.

Even Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has acknowledged Soto's sluggish demeanor, noting that the star outfielder is “frustrated” with his slow start. Mendoza didn't share details of their conversations, but it’s clear something is off. He’s not running balls out. He’s not playing with fire. He's not, well, Juan Soto.

Inside the clubhouse, some say the mood is just as concerning. Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay recently said Soto seems “very, very glum.” There’s chatter that he already misses the Yankees—who were serious contenders in free agency but, in the end, weren’t ready to go as far as Cohen financially.

Which brings us to Scott Boras.

Soto’s agent defended his client in a May 23 interview with Jon Heyman of the New York Post, insisting that a bit of regret is natural when all your options are elite. According to Boras, Soto is just adjusting to his new reality. “It’s taking time to learn how to wear the crown,” he said. Boras described this transition as a “90-day assimilation period,” saying there’s still another month to go before Soto fully acclimates.

Boras went on to say he’s advised Soto to "swing less" and be patient. Wait—what? Swing less? Ease into a $700 million contract? What kind of message is that sending? Is this really the time to slow-play greatness?

Let’s be blunt: there’s no time for a 15-year honeymoon. When you accept the richest contract in baseball history, the spotlight doesn’t dim—it blazes hotter. This isn't the time for excuses. It’s the time to lead. To electrify. To perform.

Because right now, Soto doesn’t look like the centerpiece of a championship team. He looks like someone who’s unsure of his choice.

And maybe he is. In a Sports Illustrated profile from spring training, Soto struggled to explain why he ultimately picked the Mets. He acknowledged that the Yankees "did a pretty good job" recruiting him, but hesitated, rambled, and admitted that their lack of urgency bothered him. “I wanted to get it done,” he said, referring to a deal with the Yankees, but they were "still bouncing around.”

Eventually, he chose the team with the most certainty—and the deepest pockets. Soto said Cohen’s commitment to contention made him believe the Mets were best suited for the long haul. He mentioned Cohen’s hands-on recruiting efforts. Family-friendly. Big vision. Big wallet.

But none of that matters now if the performance doesn’t follow.

Because here’s the hard truth: Juan Soto looks miserable in a Mets uniform. And that’s not what a nearly billion-dollar man should look like. He should be bursting out of the dugout with fire. He should be running out every ground ball like his contract depends on it. He should be leading—not sulking.

And if he isn’t, it’s on Steve Cohen to step in and ask the tough question: Are we getting what we paid for? If not, the conversation shouldn't just be about patience—it should be about accountability.

If this continues, Cohen has every right to sit down with Boras and Soto and say, “We need to talk...we need to restructure this contract. We're not getting our return.” Because elite money demands elite effort. And right now, Juan Soto looks like anything but a generational superstar.

He took the money. Now he has to earn it. That's the bottom line.

SOTO'S ABOUT TO GET DESTROYED IN THE BRONX

I’ve got to say, there’s something poetic about watching Juan Soto flounder in Queens. A year ago, he was mashing baseballs in the Bronx, putting the Yankees on his back during a World Series run and soaking in the love from fans who thought he’d be a franchise cornerstone. Fast-forward to today, and he’s in a Mets uniform, underperforming, overpaid, and—ironically—getting "rest days" like he’s 38 and made of glass.

Let’s not beat around the bush. Steve Cohen made what might go down as the single worst investment in the history of baseball, and that includes Bobby Bonilla still cashing checks. Cohen tossed 15 years and $765 million at Soto like he was buying a piece of rare art, not a player already showing wear and tear. This wasn’t a calculated gamble. It was a billionaire fantasy—impulsive, reckless, and rooted in ego more than baseball sense. He didn’t sign a generational two-way superstar. He signed a one-dimensional bat with declining mobility and a growing list of mystery “maintenance days.”

And what exactly has that fortune bought the Mets so far? A guy batting .255 with eight homers and 20 RBIs in mid-May. A .845 OPS sounds nice on paper—until you realize it’s propped up by a few hot weeks, and most of his damage comes when the game’s already out of reach. Clutch? Not this year. Elite? Not lately. Worth nearly a billion dollars? Not even close. He's been, at best, “pretty good”—which is just another way of saying “not what we paid for.”

Now, here comes the kicker. Just before the Subway Series, in the biggest emotional moment of the season so far, Soto gets benched. For rest. Before a scheduled off day. Before facing the Yankees. At Yankee Stadium. Where boos will rain down like biblical plagues. Is it a physical issue? A mental reset? Or just the Mets doing Mets things? Either way, it’s soft. Inexcusable. You don’t sit out this kind of moment unless something’s really wrong—or you can’t handle the heat.

Soto says he’s excited. He says he’s ready for the boos. “I don’t mind,” he told reporters. Cute. But anyone who’s watched this city long enough knows—those jeers will be unrelenting. They’ll remind him of what he walked away from. The energy, the pressure, the expectations. He’s no longer a Yankee star—he’s the villain in Queens, getting paid like a superhero and playing like a sidekick.

And let’s not pretend Yankee fans have forgotten. This guy was a monster in pinstripes—.288 average, 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, and a trip to the World Series. He had it all right there. Then he left. For the Mets. For money. For Steve Cohen’s Monopoly cash. And now he’s coming back to the Bronx wearing orange and blue, thinking the crowd’s going to treat him like anything but a traitor? Please.

Subway Series weekends are always intense, but this one has some extra juice. Soto is front and center—overpaid, underwhelming, and walking into a stadium full of fans ready to let him have it. And whether he admits it or not, it's going to get to him. Because this year? He’s not the guy. He’s not carrying a team. He’s not feared. He’s getting clowned on sports radio and whispered about in clubhouses. That stuff sticks.

And while we're at it, let’s end the myth once and for all: Juan Soto is a great hitter. That’s it. He’s not a five-tool phenom. He’s not a game-changer with the glove or a burner on the bases. He’s not a clubhouse leader. He’s a bat. An expensive one. And unlike Aaron Judge, he doesn’t wear the moment like armor. He folds when the lights get hottest. Judge is New York. Soto rented the role for a year and couldn’t wait to jump ship the second the check got bigger.

Bottom line: Steve Cohen bought himself a name, not a legacy. And Juan Soto is learning the hard way that in this city, production matters more than potential. The Subway Series is here, and for Yankee fans, there’s only one sweeter sight than beating the Mets—watching Juan Soto melt under the pressure.

Let the drama begin.

COMPLACENT SOTO BUTT HURT BY DEFENSE CRITICISM

You can't make almost a billion dollars a year and go as hard as you can. Why? Because mentality, you know you've made it, and you will not work hard.  That's Juan Soto, who was always bad in the field, and not it just became worse. That's the bottom line.

When he stops hitting home runs... what other tools will work in his favor? Well, he can't run, and as we already know, he can't field.  

And so, it’s official. The microscope is out, the lighting is harsh, and the truth is finally hitting harder than a Juan Soto fastball in a hitter’s count: the man can rake, but when it comes to defense and baserunning? Yikes.

Juan Soto might be baseball’s most complete hitter—he’s a savant at the plate, with freakish vision, Jedi-level patience, and a swing that can ruin a pitcher’s ERA in one pitch. At just 26, he’s already collected enough walks to fill Citi Field twice over and has the kind of plate discipline that would make Ted Williams proud. But here’s the problem: he can’t run, and he definitely can’t field. And now, under the big lights of New York (and a big fat contract to match), the baseball world is finally noticing.

Let’s put it plainly: Soto is a highlight reel at the plate and a blooper reel in the field.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Mets coverage, Soto has accumulated a defensive run value of -32 since his debut. Translation: he's let in 32 more runs than an average right fielder would have at the same time. That's not a “bad day.” That’s a long-term liability. You could stick a scarecrow in right field and get better results, and it wouldn’t trip over its own cleats on the basepaths.

Juan Soto hace un error pic.twitter.com/Ju6sDEtZKf

— RT Universo (@Rtuniverso20) March 9, 2025

Soto, to his credit, seems aware of the criticism. He told NJ Advance Media on April 7, “It motivates me... not that it bothers me or anything,” before going into a detailed explanation of how he’s working on his hip movement, knee mechanics, and other gym-class drills to get better jumps on balls. That’s all well and good. But you’d think someone on a nearly billion-dollar trajectory would have figured that out somewhere between Washington and Queens.

Let’s be honest—this isn't new information. Soto has always been a below-average fielder. Metrics like Outs Above Average (OAA) have been sounding the alarm for years, and his low fielding percentage backs it up. Yes, his reaction time is solid. But his routes to the ball resemble a drunk GPS, and his lack of speed turns doubles into triples and bloopers into heart attacks.

But Steve Cohen didn’t care. He saw Soto’s bat and wrote the check. Maybe he thought he was buying a five-tool player. Turns out, it’s more like one tool—and a very shiny one at that—but still just one.

And let’s not forget the baserunning. Soto runs like he’s carrying a piano. There’s no threat when he’s on first. No spark. No chaos. Just Soto trotting station to station like it's 1978 again.

St. Louis Bullpen—yes, that underrated site full of baseball purists—nailed it the moment Soto inked his deal. Their piece included this gem from John Fleming:

“Juan Soto is a one-dimensional player... Unlike Ohtani, Juan Soto is not perceived as a particularly marketable player beyond his overwhelming talent. He is a mediocre fielder and base runner, and while his plate appearances are about as fun as you’re going to get out of a guy with an 18.8% career walk rate, he isn’t necessarily a human highlight reel. He is worthy of appreciation, if not immediate awe to the casual fan.”

Boom. Roasted.

Here at Bleeding Yankee Blue, we've been preaching this sermon for years. Yes, Soto is a phenomenal hitter. Yes, he will help a lineup. But this idea that he’s some flawless diamond? That myth is cracking fast. New York will do that to a player. There’s no place to hide in this town, especially when you're getting superstar money and playing like a designated hitter in the outfield.

So here we are. The truth, finally out there. Juan Soto: master of the walk, prince of the long ball… and a walking, jogging, slow-reacting red flag on defense.

And thank God everyone’s finally seeing it.

THE DODGERS ARE IN BOONE'S HEAD AND THAT'S SAD

Aaron Boone is obsessed. 

The man just can’t let it go. Instead of focusing on how his Yankees flopped in the World Series, he’s out here whining about the Dodgers having the audacity—the absolute gall!—to talk a little trash after winning the World Series. Buddy, they won. You didn’t. Move on.

Boone recently appeared on Fox Sports’ Breakfast Ball and, in true "no championships" skipper fashion, made it clear that the Dodgers' victory still haunts him like a bad dream:

Yankees manager Aaron Boone called the Dodgers' trash talk after winning the World Series "annoying." 👀 pic.twitter.com/Pxu7wMYJD3

— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) March 26, 2025

"We kind of looked at it as they beat us and we didn’t play our best. So that’s their right to say whatever they want. I think it’s annoying, I’ll say that. I think it annoyed some guys. But at the end of the day, if we want to not hear it, we’ve got to play better and be the team standing."

Boone, seriously? This is the energy you’re bringing? The "we didn’t play our best" excuse? That’s weak. That’s like blaming a failed test on the pen you used instead of admitting you didn’t study. You lost. And not just any loss—an emphatic, definitive, "pack your bags and go home" kind of loss. But sure, let’s focus on how annoying the Dodgers are for, you know, pointing out the obvious.

This level of fixation reminds me of another New York baseball figure who just couldn’t help but obsess over a rival: Steve Cohen. The Mets owner spent years obsessed with the Yankees, acting like they lived rent-free in his head. And what did he do? He tried to make a statement by throwing an obscene amount of money at Juan Soto, a move destined to implode. Just like Cohen couldn’t stand the Yankees overshadowing the Mets, Boone now can’t handle the Dodgers rubbing a well-earned championship in his face.

The problem here isn’t the Dodgers talking. The problem is Boone can’t get past it. A strong leader would take it on the chin, get back to work, and come back stronger. Boone? He’s playing the role of the guy who just got dumped and keeps texting his ex about how annoying she is for being happy. It’s not a good look.

So, Boone, here’s some advice: Instead of letting the Dodgers’ words live rent-free in YOUR head, maybe put that energy into, I don’t know, actually winning something? Because right now, the only thing more embarrassing than the Yankees’ recent performances is their manager sounding like a sore loser on national radio.

But hey, if nothing else, at least Boone’s keeping the tradition alive—another year, another excuse, another offseason of pretending that "we didn’t play our best" means something. Carry on, skip. We’ll check back in when the Yankees actually matter again.

BOOMER GOES OFF ON JUAN SOTO!

Juan Soto is not a five-tool player. There, I said it. And frankly, it needed to be said—so thank you, Boomer Esiason, for doing the Lord’s work and calling it like it is. 

Sure, Soto can hit home runs and might even be a clubhouse presence (if we’re being generous), but let’s not kid ourselves: he can’t run, he can’t field, and dare I say... he’s out for himself.

That’s why it was so refreshing to hear Boomer take him to task on the radio after that embarrassing first-game strikeout. If you’re getting paid close to $800 million to play baseball, you better show up like an all-time great. Instead, Soto stepped up to the plate against his old buddy Josh Hader, assumed a fastball was coming (because, well, thinking ahead isn’t really his thing), and got absolutely fooled by a slider. The look on his face? Priceless. And Boomer? He had a field day with it.

Boomer says Juan Soto is not a "needle mover," and the Mets "way overpaid" 😳@WFANmornings pic.twitter.com/q8W6bz6mpG

— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) March 28, 2025

Boomer didn’t just criticize—he buried Soto, calling him “not a needle mover” and flat-out saying the Mets “way overpaid.” And you know what? He’s right. A “needle mover” is a guy who electrifies the game, a guy who fans line up to see. You know who fits that description? Aaron Judge. Shohei Ohtani. Paul Skenes. You know who doesn’t? Juan Soto. He’s a great hitter, but $765 million great? Please.

Boomer laid it out plain and simple: when you sign that kind of contract, you put yourself under the brightest spotlight imaginable. Now, every swing, every defensive blunder, every lazy jog to first will be scrutinized. And Mets fans? They’ll turn on him in a heartbeat. Steve Cohen thought he was making a power move by throwing ridiculous money at Soto, but what he actually did was lock his team into a disastrous deal. The Mets are a big-market team with an even bigger microscope, and Soto is not built for that kind of pressure.

Let’s be honest—he took that deal because other teams were bidding, not because he’s worth it. Boomer even compared him to Ohtani, who literally has networks creating special broadcasts just for his at-bats. Nobody is tuning in just to watch Soto walk to the plate. The Mets didn’t just overpay; they set themselves up for an inevitable disappointment.

Here’s the reality: not all big-money contracts work out. Players get complacent. Players age. And Soto? He’s going to decline, and it’s going to be painful to watch. Homers will come, sure. But a five-tool player? Not even close. And let’s be real—no player, not even a true five-tool guy, deserves an $800 million contract. But especially not Juan Soto.

Boomer was right, and Mets fans better brace themselves. The clock is already ticking.

JUAN SOTO JUST GOT KNOCKED DOWN QUITE A FEW PEGS

Steve Cohen and the Mets have singlehandedly rewritten the manual on how to torpedo a baseball franchise—all in the name of beating the Yankees. In their desperation to flex financial muscle, they threw nearly a billion dollars at Juan Soto, a player who, while a monster at the plate, is as one-dimensional as a cardboard cutout in the field.

Veteran scout Tyler Kepner finally said what I’ve been screaming for years: Juan Soto is overrated. Finally, FINALLY, someone with the guts to call it like it is! Sure, the guy can hit, but he's a selfish player, and his defense? A liability. Yet every time I point this out, it’s like talking to a brick wall. But now that Kepner has spoken, maybe—just maybe—people will open their eyes.

Cohen just sabotaged baseball by handing out a deal that guarantees regret. In about three years, when Soto is lumbering around first base or hiding at DH, the Mets will still have ELEVEN years left on that monstrosity of a contract. Hope that family suite was worth it, Cohen.

Kepner didn’t pull punches. He compared Soto to Brian Giles—a fantastic hitter, but hardly a game-changer elsewhere. “Giles was an elite hitter,” Kepner said. “But he wasn’t a game-changer defensively or on the bases. Soto is the same—he’s got a great bat, but he doesn’t offer much outside of that.” Sound familiar? That’s because I’ve been saying it before the Yankees even signed him!

Kepner threw in a small caveat, saying, “He could always improve his defense as he matures,” but let’s be real—why would he? That contract is a golden ticket to complacency. We’ve seen it before: guys secure the bag and suddenly, the hustle disappears. Soto got paid. He doesn’t need to run, dive, or put in extra effort. In a couple of years, when he starts half-jogging to first, the Mets will be stuck paying top dollar for a glorified DH.

Essentially Sports says: “Soto is just getting started. At just 26, for him, the sky is the limit. After leading the AL in runs and hitting 41 home runs, Soto has the potential to do even more. He could challenge for the lead in RBIs, runs, and homers, all while carrying the Mets to an improved record.”

That’s all well and good for now, but let’s fast-forward a few years. When Soto’s legs are gone, when he’s a statue in the outfield, when his contract has become an anchor weighing the Mets down—then what? He’ll ask to play DH, and of course, the Mets will cave. They’ve given him the keys to the kingdom. No one sees it yet, but they will.

Cohen has wrecked the Mets. Sure, they might get some short-term gains, but in the long run? Disaster. Cohen fought so hard to outbid the Yankees. I hope it was worth it. Mets fans will be stuck watching a declining player eat up payroll. The Yankees dodged a bullet.

Don’t take my word for it—listen to Johnny Damon. Speaking to DJ Siddiqi of SportsCasting.com, Damon said: “He’s an amazing player. When the Yankees couldn’t get Juan Soto, they were able to go out and get a number of All-Stars where the team may actually be better now. You have more quality players around.”

Exactly. One player doesn’t guarantee a championship. If it did, the Yankees would have won it all in 2024. Soto was phenomenal in the postseason—.327 average, 16 hits, 4 home runs, 9 RBIs, 12 runs in 14 games. But guess what? No ring.

So, enjoy it while it lasts, Stevie. The warning signs are there. When Soto starts misplaying fly balls, when he’s a liability on the bases, when he’s clogging up payroll with a contract that still has a decade left—then we’ll all be chanting: BRI-AN GI-LES! clap clap, clap clap clap!

ALONSO FORCES HIS RETURN TO THE METS

I went to bed with all indications in my mind that Pete Alonso was about to strike a deal up with the Reds, and I wake up and he's a Met. Good for Pete.

Pete Alonso did what he had to do. He took matters into his own hands, shut down Scott Boras' negotiating tactics, and secured the deal that brought him back to the Mets. It wasn’t the contract he dreamed of, but it was the one he needed to return home. Mets fans adore him, but the front office failed to grasp that—probably because they aren’t true baseball minds.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Alonso and the Mets agreed on a two-year, $54 million contract, which includes a $10 million signing bonus and an opt-out after the first season. He’ll earn $20 million in the first year, giving him the flexibility to reassess his market next offseason.

Alonso had made it clear that he wanted to stay in Queens for the long haul. While he ultimately remains a Met, this wasn’t the long-term commitment he had hoped for.

A subpar 2024 season by his standards—hitting .240 with 34 home runs—along with concerns about his age, underlying metrics, and defensive value, weakened his free-agent market. The days of massive paydays for slugging first basemen appear to be over, and after months of searching for the right offer, Alonso and Boras had little choice but to pivot to a short-term deal, much like Boras did with several clients last offseason.

I’ll be clear—I’m no Mets fan. To me, they’re just the Mets. But the way they handled Alonso was downright embarrassing. Fortunately, he’s back where he belongs. He may not be the best first baseman in the league anymore, but his loyalty and passion for the team should have meant something months ago. Instead, Steve Cohen was too busy throwing nearly a billion dollars at a soon-to-be declining Juan Soto to recognize the heart and soul already in his clubhouse.

I'm glad Pete's home. Good for him.

HOME IS IN ALONSO'S HEART BUT BORAS & GREED HAS BLOWN THAT

Time is running out for Pete Alonso, one of MLB’s top free agents, and guess what? He still doesn’t have a contract for 2025. Why? Because his so-called agent, Scott Boras, is busy making it all about himself instead of actually doing his job and securing a deal for his client. And of course, the Mets—because they can never get out of their own way—are right in the middle of this ridiculous mess.

Alonso wants to stay in New York. He’s made that clear. But Boras? Oh no, he’s playing his usual games, holding out for a monster contract while completely ignoring what Alonso actually wants. Typical. Boras is the same guy who treats free agency like some kind of reality show where he’s the star, and the players? Just pawns in his game. It’s disgusting. At this point, it’s hard to tell if Boras even cares where Alonso plays as long as he can squeeze every last dollar out of the situation—for himself, not Pete.

Meanwhile, Mets owner Steve Cohen is proving, yet again, that having a billion dollars doesn’t mean you know the first thing about running a baseball team. At Mets Fan Fest, he all but admitted that the front office is incapable of making a deal happen. “I don’t like the structures that are being presented to us. They are very asymmetrical against us,” Cohen said. Translation? He doesn’t like Boras' ridiculous demands, but he also doesn’t have the guts to make a real offer that keeps Alonso in Queens. Instead, he’s giving the fanbase the same old “Well, we tried” excuse. Please.

Evan Roberts, an MLB analyst, put it best: “Pete Alonso told Scott, ‘I want to go home, and you better make it happen.’ Now Scott is testing the last bit of power he has left. He’s saying, ‘We’ve given you everything, Mets, now close the deal.’ Alonso will sign a contract, and shortly after, Scott Boras will be fired. He’s going to be fired because he failed Pete Alonso.” And he’s 100% right. This isn’t just about money; this is about loyalty, about doing right by a guy who has given everything to the Mets. Instead, he’s stuck in the middle of a power struggle between an incompetent front office and a greedy agent who doesn’t care about him.

At this point, Alonso deserves better. If I were him, I’d sign with any other team offering a reasonable deal and then make sure to absolutely obliterate the Mets every single time he steps up to the plate against them. Let them feel the pain of losing a franchise cornerstone because they couldn’t get their act together. And as for Boras? Fire him. Yesterday. He’s ruining Alonso’s career, and he’s terrible for baseball as a whole. The guy is more interested in his own ego than actually helping his clients.

Pete Alonso should be the face of the Mets for years to come, F Soto. Instead, he’s stuck in free-agent limbo because of Scott Boras' selfishness and the Mets’ eternal incompetence. It’s a joke. And when it all blows up? The only people to blame will be the ones who let it happen.

F STEVE COHEN & F SCOTT BORAS!

They are just doing Pete Alonso dirty. Two of the worst villains in the saga of Alonso. They have ruined him, his rep and his potential future in the MLB and they should be ashamed of themselves.  And the Mets. Leave it to this franchise to fumble their homegrown star because they spent all their money on Fat Juan Soto. And leave it to Scott Boras to make everything about himself instead of, you know, actually getting his client paid.

Pete Alonso rolled into the offseason expecting a well-earned payday—somewhere in the $200 million range.Who knows if that's too high, but I know one thing, the Mets low balled him offering a measly three-year, $70 million offer, with deferred money, no less. Translation: an insult. Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays kicked the tires, but Boras cock blocks because of course he wants top dollar.

And now, the real drama begins—because it turns out Alonso might be done with Boras’ antics. According to New York radio host Evan Roberts:

"Pete Alonso said to Scott, 'I want to go home, and you better make it happen,' and now Scott is trying the last tiny pit of power he has to say, 'We've given you everything, Mets, now seal the deal.' Alonso will soon sign a contract, and soon after... Scott Boras is going to get fired. He's going to get fired because he's failed Pete Alonso."

Ouch. But honestly? It's deserved. Boras had one job: get his client the best deal possible without making it about himself. Instead, he turned it into the Scott Boras Show, just like he always does, and left Alonso hanging. And the Mets? Their refusal to pay Alonso what he's worth comes down to the fact that Steve Cohen, billionaire or not, doesn’t have infinite money—especially after dropping a Brinks truck on Soto. 

Look, Alonso has been the heart of this team. He’s put in the work. He’s given his time. And a three-year, $70 million deal? That’s a joke. He deserves better—both from his team and from his so-called "super-agent."

Time to clean house, Pete. The Mets won’t pay you, and Boras sure as hell isn’t helping. Sign somewhere else, go shine and leave Boras out of it! You deserve better.

JEFF PASSAN JUST PUT THE YANKEES ON BLAST!

SHOTS FIRED! I love some good baseball drama....and this is definitely some off field drama. Baseball insider Jeff Passan was a guest on The Michael Kay Show, and he didn't hold back on how he sees the current state of the Yankees and Hal Steinbrenner's perceived lack of spending this winter.

"If the (luxury tax) penalties are so tough, then why are the Dodgers and Mets doing it? The Mets have been the past two years, and they've shown a willingness to go there," Passan said on Kay's podcast. "And at the end of the day, these are the New York freaking Yankees. If a luxury tax threshold is impeding them, that says more about where they are than it does the luxury tax itself. When have the Yankees ever played third fiddle in baseball? That's where they are right now when it comes to spending."

I will say this, it's not for a lack of trying by the Yankees. They made a HUGE offer to Juan Soto and it may have limited other additions to the team if Soto had accepted. The Yankees pivoted and made some good moves to strengthen both the infield and the outfield especially with a big commitment made to Max Fried. We improved several areas, especially within the infield and I really don't think we are completely done.

The Yankees traditionally spend money. We can't call them cheap when they spent well over $300 million in payroll last year and they had the second highest payroll only behind the New York Mets. You can argue that the Yankees don't spend their money wisely (and I do!) but saying they don't spend money is just false. 

The Mets are operating at a loss, it's not up for debate that Steve Cohen is paying out of pocket but he's also worth $22 billion dollars! The Dodgers ownership group has a large net worth so they also have money to spend AND have proven they will defer money as they see fit to try and avoid stiff penalties. The idea of deferring $1.3 BILLION dollars blows my mind. The Yankees should go over the luxury tax to make the last few upgrades they need in order to win a championship, but I think we need to recognize there is new, bigger money in baseball. The Yankees are "old" money, and the Dodgers and Mets are "new" money. It's a new baseball world whether we like it or not.

And as the Yankees are competing against the "new money" Dodgers and Mets, they are also operating in a much different mindset. When George Steinbrenner was alive, the Yankees were a life passion for him. He spent the money because he wanted to win and that was what mattered most to him. Now we have "new" vision Hal running the team, and he's not running it as passion.... it's a business for him. Businesses are all about the bottom line. He wants to win, but not with the same determination or drive his dad did.

So I understand why Passan is throwing shade because no team in the old-world order outspent the Yankees. Everything changes over time and even if other teams are spending more, they certainly aren't being cheap. If this is Passan's way of motivating the Yankees to re-sign Tim Hill or a strong third basemen then I am all for it because honestly.... I want Hill back BAD!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj