DALLAS — It’s been a year. It was a tremendous year, including one of the most memorable at-bats in Yankees history, the one that propelled the Yankees to their first World Series appearance in 15 years. But it ended with Juan.
Now the Yankees have to figure out how to use the money they didn't invest in Juan Soto on a group of players they can maintain as elite. What will encourage them? Well, Scott Boras previously had a free agent client as young and special as Soto. Alex Rodriguez left Seattle after the 2000 season, and the following year the Mariners won a record 116 games. Bryce Harper left Washington after the 2018 season, and the Nationals won it all the next season (starring Soto).
There is tomorrow. But the Yankees have to do a lot of things at once, which isn't particularly their strong suit. Look at Ellsbury and Jacoby (among others) after Robinson Cano ran away. In Soto's case, there may have been speculation in 2037 and 2038, for example, but not in 2025.
That's why so much befalls Hal Steinbrenner. It was under his management that a great player first left the Yankees for the Mets. That threatens to change the balance of power in New York baseball.
