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.

CLUELESS BOONE & THE QUEST TO FIND WORDS

Giancarlo Stanton is… still alive. That’s basically the only takeaway from Aaron Boone’s latest round of public mumbling.

In what might be the most impressively empty update of the 2025 season, Boone opened his mouth, rearranged some syllables, and told us absolutely nothing. When asked about Stanton’s elbow tendinitis—the mysterious condition that’s kept him out since spring training—Boone served up his usual dish: lukewarm nothingburger with a side of word salad.

Could Stanton skip a rehab assignment?

Boone: "I don’t want to speak too soon. We’ll see."

Cool. Bold stance, Aaron. Maybe next time just hold a Magic 8-Ball to your face during the presser and say, “Ask again later.” It’d be equally helpful and way more entertaining.

Meanwhile, Stanton continues to “work out,” which we assume means occasional light jogging, a little stretching, and watching batting practice from 400 feet away like a man studying an ancient ritual. But seriously, the guy mashed seven home runs in 14 postseason games last year. He’s a difference-maker… when he’s not made of glass.

Last season, he batted .233—not great—but still clubbed 27 home runs and drove in 72 runs. That kind of pop doesn't grow on trees, especially in a lineup that sometimes looks allergic to clutch hits. So yes, getting him back would be huge.

Unfortunately, trying to extract a meaningful update from Aaron Boone is like trying to download a movie over dial-up. Painfully slow and always ending in disappointment. Beat writers should honestly just bypass Boone altogether and go straight to the team doctors—or maybe even the clubhouse janitor. At least they might give an honest answer.

Boone's pressers have become an absurdist theater where words are spoken, cameras roll, and the rest of us leave dumber for having listened. So no, there's no real update on Stanton. Just more Boone babble. If you're holding your breath for meaningful information, you won't get it from Boone.

MANFRED'S NEXT BIG CHANGE IS COMING....

Will Rob Manfred's next change kill baseball as we know it? That was the talk around the office today. I surprisedly heard more "YES" answers than I was expecting, so I am a little shocked by it as I am digesting all of this. Baseball certainly has changed over Manfred's tenure....but has the baseball enthusiast changed also?

The next big change if Manfred gets his way will be the use of an automated ball and strike zone in baseball starting in 2026. Yup, next season, you can check out the details HERE. We briefly talked about this three years ago in RUMOR: ROBOTS ARE COMING TO A MLB STADIUM NEAR YOU and back then it felt like a horrible idea, and like a long term goal. Well, maybe it isn't AS horrible of an idea and it's almost here.

I'll admit, three years ago I hated the idea. Now, I am not so sure. We all watch games today and it's "normal" to see a terrible call made by an umpire (here's looking at you C.B. Bucknor) and this kind of normal just isn't good for the game. There's a human element to the game, but they shouldn't be wrong this often and they shouldn't be allowed to get away with it. Where's the accountability? It doesn't exist.

So, here we are. Manfred has his sights set on making this change, his biggest change of his tenure next Spring. This change comes at a VERY interesting time. The Competition Committee was created in the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that consists of six owners, four players and one umpire so his Automated Ball Strike zone (ABS) will have little to no opposition to stop this from becoming a reality at least for next year because players won't have enough power to stop it. However, the current CBA expires December 1, 2026 so if this experiment is a disaster we could have another lockout situation.

The players could make this sticky, so Manfred is going to put on his best politician bullshit voice to try and smooth it over. He's already practicing. "My single biggest concern is working through the process and deploying it in a way that's acceptable to the players," Manfred said. "There's always going to be things around the edges that we need to work through and whatever, and I want them to feel like we respected the committee process and that there was a full airing of concerns about the system, and an attempt to address those concerns before we go forward."

I really don't like or trust Manfred. A commissioner's interests always align with the owners, otherwise he wouldn't have a job he'd be fired. So his concern isn't the players accepting it....his concerns is trying to persuade players just like a corrupt politician. He's just full of crap and full of himself.

So this will be interesting. Honestly, I really have lost all patience with incompetent umpires so would it be so bad if there were less of them? 

One of my coworkers said today this was "proof nothing can stop AI from taking over." Then I guess we could credit AI for eliminating some of Aaron Boone's temper tantrums that lead him to be ejected.... maybe. That would be a change to the Yankees game for sure. Food for thought... I'll be watching this headline closely.

How do you feel about an Automated Ball Strike zone? Tell us.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

GLEYBER TORRES IS THRIVING, Y'ALL

Gleyber Torres bet on himself — and it’s paying off like a loaded slot machine in Vegas. Meanwhile, back in the Bronx, Aaron Boone is too busy braiding friendship bracelets for Anthony Volpe to notice the giant infield-sized hole he helped create. For the longest time this season the infield has been a mess between juggling 2nd base and 3rd. 

Meanwhile for Torres, he's now firmly planted in the heart of the Detroit Tigers’ lineup, is hitting a clean .275 with a .795 OPS and five homers — and those numbers might actually understate how good he’s been. His expected batting average? A gaudy .301, good for the 91st percentile in MLB. Translation: if baseballs had slightly better manners, Torres would be raking even more. That’s not luck — that’s skill plus patience, the kind you develop when you're trying to prove everyone wrong.

The best part? He's matured. He’s owning his shortcomings, working to improve, and not blaming the shadows or a pebble in the grass. At 28, he’s got time and motivation. That's what you get when you believe in a player.

Too bad the Yankees didn’t.

Instead of backing a proven bat like Torres, Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman effectively handed Gleyber a MetroCard and told him to swipe out. And for what? So, he could glue DJ LeMahieu’s creaky knees to second base, juggle Peraza around the diamond and continue his daily devotional to Anthony Volpe — a man who’s still searching for a consistent bat and, let’s be honest, looks like he should be in Double-A biology class, not playing shortstop for the Yankees.

Oh, and one more thing: the Tigers — yes, those Tigers — are 2.5 games ahead of the Yankees in the standings. Much of that has to do with Torres. That's not just salt in the wound. That’s an entire salt truck backing over the infield.

So here we are... Gleyber is thriving, Detroit is smiling, and Yankees fans are left wondering why the Yankees decided to give up on a 28-year-old with pop, guts, and upside, just so he could keep playing infield musical chairs with guys who are either past their prime or still figuring out which cleat goes on which foot.

IF THIBODEAU WAS JUST FIRED, WHY CAN'T WE FIRE BOONE?

 The message has been the same in New York since the invention of ticker tape: If you don’t win championships, you don’t keep your job. That’s it. Simple. That’s the deal when you coach or manage in this city. And yet, somehow, some way, Aaron Boone is still sitting in the dugout.

On the other side of town, the Knicks just fired Tom Thibodeau. According to ESPN, Thibodeau is out after the Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Let’s be clear: This was the Knicks' first trip to the conference finals in 25 years. A legitimately strong playoff run. New Yorkers liked Thibs. They respected him. But he didn’t bring home the trophy, so the team pulled the plug.

Knicks President Leon Rose spelled it out plainly:

“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans.”

That’s the sentence that should be tattooed on the forehead of every Yankees executive. Singularly focused on winning a championship for the fans.

FOR THE FANS!

Now take a look at the Yankees. Aaron Boone hasn’t even sniffed a World Series ring. In fact, under his "leadership" the Yankees are 14-17 in the postseason. That’s a losing record in the only games that actually matter in the Bronx. Last year? We were embarrassed in the World Series against the Dodgers. Boone looked lost, outmanaged, and completely out of his depth. He’s the kind of guy who would bring a fork to a soup kitchen.

And this isn’t personal — it’s professional. Boone makes bad in-game decisions. He mismanages his bullpen. He’s got a weird obsession with certain players, boy toys like Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells even when they clearly don’t belong in the lineup. He’s allergic to fundamentals. He couldn’t manage his way out of a paper bag in a five-game series.

And yet… still here. Still calling the shots. Still giving those glazed-over postgame interviews like we’re the fools.

Meanwhile, look around Major League Baseball. In 2025 alone, three managers have already been fired before June: Derek Shelton (Pirates), Bud Black (Rockies), and Brandon Hyde (Orioles). Hyde was cut loose on May 17 — the third firing before June, something we haven’t seen since 2002. Why? Because the standard is winning. Period.

So, let’s ask the obvious: Why is Aaron Boone still managing the Yankees? Tom Thibodeau got fired after a deep playoff run. Boone hasn’t even won an AL pennant. What’s the argument? He’s a nice guy? He’s good with the media? He nods politely when the front office hands him the lineup card? That’s not leadership — that’s puppetry.

We’ve been screaming this for years: Leaders are judged by championships. Boone has been the Yankees manager since 2018. Since he's been here, he’s brought exactly zero titles to New York. The math doesn’t lie. The record doesn’t lie. And fans aren’t blind.

So yes, the Thibodeau firing sends a loud message. And it’s one the Yankees brass should hear loud and clear: If a respected, successful coach like Thibs can get fired for not winning a title… what exactly is Boone still doing here?

In New York, the bar is higher. The standard is titles. And if Boone isn’t the guy to get it done — and spoiler alert, he’s not — then it’s time to stop pretending otherwise.

Championships matter. The Knicks know it. The fans demand it. The Yankees? It’s about time they remembered it.

HERE COMES JAZZ!

Wait... what?! Jazz Chisholm Jr. is back already? No, seriously—tonight! Against the Cleveland Guardians. Aaron Boone just casually dropped that little nugget like it was no big deal. Jazz is coming off the 10-day IL and going straight into the starting lineup.

Didn’t it feel like he was going to be out forever? Oblique strains usually scream “see you in September” in Yankees language. But here we are, June baseball, and Jazz is suiting up. Miracles happen. We checked.

Jazz has been out since April 30, and yeah, his numbers weren’t eye-popping before the injury—a .181 average in 30 games—but hang on. He still managed seven home runs, ten extra-base hits, and a .714 OPS while playing solid defense at second base. That’s not nothing. And it’s not just about the numbers anyway—Jazz plays the game with his hair on fire. High energy. High wattage. He’s fun. He’s chaos. He’s Jazz.

So, here’s the likely plan: Jazz takes over at third base, replacing the Peraza/Vivas platoon that’s felt less like a strategy and more like a placeholder. Peraza has the glove but zero momentum. Jazz brings an edge. An identity. A little bit of swagger and unpredictability in an otherwise pretty methodical Yankee machine.

The team’s been winning, sure. But let’s not pretend they couldn’t use a jolt. And Jazz is a jolt with cleats on. He might go 0-for-4 or he might steal home while pointing at the dugout with a grin—and both outcomes are entertaining.

The only question is: can he hit the ground running? This team’s cooking right now, and if Jazz can plug in and stay healthy (big if, we know), he could be the exact kind of spark that keeps things rolling through the summer.

So welcome back, Jazz. We missed the electricity.

Now light up the Bronx.

LUKE VOIT'S STILL GOT IT

Remember that brief but brawny blast of Luke Voit in pinstripes? Yeah, for a minute there, it felt like we were watching Shane Spencer 2.0 or channeling the ghost of Kevin Maas. Voit had that magical moment where he was launching bombs in the Bronx, and Yankee fans thought, “Hey, maybe we found something here!” But then... injuries crept in, the Yankees cooled on him faster than a leftover hot dog at a rain delay, and just like that, Big Luke was out of sight and out of mind.

Honestly? I kind of forgot he was still playing. Until now.

Voit’s been doing his thing south of the border in the Mexican Baseball League, where he rediscovered his power stroke and started turning heads again. After slugging 23 home runs in 2024 with a .270 average and 57 RBIs, he turned it up even more this year—batting .324 with 25 RBIs and a ridiculous .432 OBP. Oh, and don’t forget the 11 homers that gave him an OPS north of 1.000. That’s not just good—that’s “wait, should we be paying attention again?” good.

Now, the next chapter: Japan. Reports say Voit has signed on with the Rakuten Eagles, joining the parade of ex-big leaguers who’ve gone east and found new life (or at least a solid paycheck and some sushi).

Let’s be real—Voit probably isn’t on anyone’s MLB radar right now. But if he keeps mashing in Japan like he did in Mexico, who knows? A non-roster invite to spring training next year isn’t out of the question. Baseball has a funny way of circling back.

So here’s to Luke Voit: Bronx bomber for a hot minute, world traveler, and still swinging for the fences.

THAT YOAN MONCADA RUMOR THAT CONNECTS HIM TO THE YANKEES

The rumor mill never sleeps—especially when the New York Yankees are involved. Baseball’s most headline-hungry franchise could be linked to a Little League shortstop in Idaho, and somehow it would still dominate the back pages. But in this case, the buzz actually makes sense.

Despite a logjam of infielders, the Yankees’ 2025 options have delivered more mediocrity than magic. DJ LeMahieu is slow, but improving, Oswald Peraza has yet to seize his moment, and Jorbit Vivas hasn’t quite made the leap. It’s a crowded room—but nobody’s standing out. And with the trade deadline lurking like a Bronx summer thunderstorm, you can bet Brian Cashman is snooping around for reinforcements.

One name rising through the whisper network? Yoan Moncada. Yes, that Yoan Moncada—once hailed as a future superstar, now quietly piecing together a solid season with the Angels. The switch-hitter is batting .228/.333/.478 with five home runs, and more importantly, he’s healthy, motivated, and on an expiring contract.

“Yoan Moncada, a switch-hitting infielder in a contract year, fits the mold of a cost-effective rental,” wrote Alexander Wilson of Empire Sports Media—and he might be onto something.

Moncada’s primary home is third base, which just so happens to be a sore spot in the Yankees' lineup. Sure, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is on the mend and brings some swagger and versatility—but asking him to shoulder the entire load down the stretch is a gamble, not a game plan.

The beauty of Yankees rumors is that they never die—they evolve, swirl, and grow louder with every passing week. And while some are smoke and mirrors, Moncada to the Bronx has the rare scent of something real: low-risk, high-upside, perfectly timed.

After all, what’s a trade deadline without a Yankees twist?

WEAVER INJURY COULD PROVE TROUBLESOME FOR YANKEES

In Sunday night’s 7–3 win over the Dodgers, Yankees manager Aaron Boone handed the ninth inning keys to Tim Hill. At first glance, no big deal. But then the truth trickled out — Luke Weaver “felt something.” And I hate that phrase. Nothing good ever comes after a pitcher “feeling something.”

Weaver's been a warhorse. His outing in Anaheim marked his fifth appearance in seven days — which, according to FanSided, is workload territory usually reserved for late-October thrill rides, not the middle of the baseball season. That set off the alarm bells in my brain: If Weaver’s out, who takes the wheel?

If it’s a hamstring issue — and that’s the early speculation — he could be sidelined for more than just a weekend. That would leave the Yankees in a bit of a bullpen bind. Do they roll the dice again with Devin Williams? He’s been lights out… until you give him the ninth. The man’s allergic to save situations. He thrives in the shadows, not under the closer spotlight. Pressure hits different when the game’s on the line, and for Williams, that difference has been glaring.

Mark Leiter Jr. has the stuff, but sometimes I wonder if Boone trots him out because of the back of the jersey rather than what’s actually coming out of his hand. The pedigree's nice, but this isn't a baseball family reunion — it's a bullpen that needs a boss.

We can only hope this is just a blip for Weaver. The guy’s been electric this year: a 1.05 ERA across 24 appearances, and he’s locked down 8 of 9 save chances. He’s not just a closer — right now, he’s the closer. Losing him would be like pulling the battery out of a championship run.

Tim Hill got the job done on Sunday, recording the final three outs. But is he a ninth-inning guy or just a lefty specialist temporarily moonlighting as one? That’s a question we don’t want to have to answer long-term.

Help may be on the way in the form of Fernando Cruz, who’s expected to rejoin the team this week. Cruz was dialed in before he hit the injury list, and while he’ll definitely help, the Yankees bullpen is starting to look like a MAS*H unit.

Bottom line — the Yankees need Luke Weaver healthy. Not “pushing through something” healthy. Not “maybe available this weekend” healthy. Actually healthy. Because if he’s out for an extended stretch, the late innings in the Bronx are about to get really chaotic, real fast.

YANKEES ARE SHOPPING A FAVORITE PROSPECT AHEAD OF TRADE DEADLINE

There's a bunch of new Spencer Jones footage out there....which can only mean one thing. The Yankees are looking to capitalize on his recent improvements and drum up interest. Yup, I'm calling it now. If you are a big Jones fan, you might want to keep extra tabs on this.

A lot of Yankee fans love Jones and think he could be a good addition in pinstripes. I will admit, I am not completely sold on Jones so he's not my personal favorite. I haven't been sold on him for a while now and even said the Yankees held on to him for too long, check out more HERE. Almost a year ago I said the Yankees wanted to sell him, and after a disappointing year no one wanted to bite. I still think that COULD be true. 

But, anyone else noticing how much Jones has been talked about lately? Even in the last two weeks or so, lots of other blogs and sports sources are talking about his new batting stance, if you have a subscription to NJ.com you can check that out HERE. Basically, he's got more of a leg kick. "As the pitcher winds up to throw, Jones will load by raising his front leg up and out — with his knees only slightly bent — before planting his front foot to close off his stance, firing forward with his hips as he swings. 'We found that a more open stance lets my hips be in a better spot to start,' Jones said. 

Which makes sense that the Yankees are tinkering with his swing. It's the one thing I have been bothered with most. He's always had a long swing, and it has contributed to a high strikeout result. He's needed to make a change for a while because as I have said a 24-year-old stuck in Double-A not progressing is a problem.

So I give him credit for working on things. On Thursday night, Jones made a crazy looking catch, that has been featured on milb.com website, if you missed it you can catch that HERE. Nothing like a crazy catch to drum up some talks, right? He's looking better after missing some time due to injury, but you can't overlook how much attention Jones is getting in what many have called a make-or-break year. If Jones makes some nice offensive contributions don't be surprised if the Yankees move him.

It could happen. The Yankees do love him, they think he has super star power, and I will admit he has five tool skills that excite me, but he's running out of time. Brian Cashman is also desperately looking for a right-handed hitter, preferably an infielder and that is in extreme short supply. The Yankees also can't ignore pitching upgrades. So I think Jones could be trade bait if he stays hot through the trade deadline IF the Yankees can get a good difference maker. Big IF....but anything is possible.

So, if you are Jones fan, pay attention to what he's doing. If the Yankees can get something they really like for him, they could make the hard decision. This could be a LONG month if you are a big Jones fan.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

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.

BOONE'S LINEUP FIZZLES AGAINST MONSTER DODGERS

The Yankees got their asses handed to them by the Dodgers—plain and simple. 

Friday night’s disaster was, in my opinion, entirely on Aaron Boone. Leaving Max Fried in to face Shohei Ohtani a third time? That’s not gutsy managing, that’s just being asleep at the wheel. And once that blew up, the whole team followed suit. Boone looked lost, like he had no clue how to stop the bleeding. Honestly, it feels like the Dodgers live rent-free in his head.

Then came Saturday, and if you were hoping for a bounce back, you were out of luck. Will Warren got his tits lit up. 

He didn’t even make it out of the first inning cleanly—39 pitches just to escape the first frame. The Dodgers overpowered him, and Max Muncy made damn sure there was no coming back with two three-run bombs that buried the Yankees early. And of course, the offense did nothing. 2 runs all from Judge on 2 solo shots. When you’re depending on Aaron Judge to carry the lineup by himself, you’re already screwed. Final was 18-2. You can stop reading here, unless you want to see profanity and anger.  Then keep reading.

Yes, I get it—sometimes hitters go cold. But this series was hyped as the matchup of the season, and what we got was one team clearly outgunned and outcoached. Boone keeps getting exposed in these big moments. And then to top it off, he drops this gem after the game:

“Obviously a challenge, but that’s what the 162 brings you sometimes... you’ve got to navigate some tough moments.”

No shit, Skip. That’s called managing. You don’t get a cookie for acknowledging that baseball is hard. Maybe try having a game plan that doesn’t rely on wishful thinking and a spreadsheet.

Now we’ve got Ryan Yarbrough on the mound today. Great kid, not intimidating. Sure, he’s been solid lately—but let’s be real: the Dodgers are a juggernaut right now, and the Yankees look like a JV team trying to keep up. LA’s got the firepower, the swagger, and a fanbase that’s fully behind them right now. The Yankees? They’ve got Aaron Judge and a manager who looks more and more like he’s guessing.

Let’s call this weekend what it is: a beatdown. 

And if, by some miracle, the Yankees claw their way to the World Series, they’ll likely be facing this same Dodgers team again. If that happens, you can already pencil in the result. The Yankees aren’t built to beat them—not with Boone making gutless decisions, not with a front office too in love with bad analytics, and not with Hal Steinbrenner asleep at the wheel.

Yankees fans deserve better. Right now, we’re getting screwed.