John says Soto saying “no, no” is the best thing that could have happened to the Yankees.
(New York, NY) – This is not an attempt to “save face” or rewrite the narrative. When Yankees fans screamed from the rafters about how upset they were over losing Juan Soto, it was understandable. The whole point is to keep the best players in pinstripes.
But with the Yanks’ in first place, and having just taken 2/3 in the Subway Series — right now it looks like Brian Cashman pivoted brilliantly.
Having served as Yankees GM for 20 years, Cashman typically gets too much of the blame, and not enough of the credit. But in 2025 that has to change. In fact, Soto spurning the Yankees for the Mets seemed like a bad thing — now we know it was the best thing that could have happened.
Cashman immediately adjusted, much like a great hitter in the middle of a tough at bat. He signed Max Fried away from the Atlanta Braves, who has since been the best pitcher in baseball. And what Yankees fan didn’t enjoy watching him dominate Soto during game 3 of the Subway Series this past weekend?
Adding to the Yankees’ strong relief corps, Cashman signed Devin Williams. Despite his early struggles, he’s started to turn it around — and gives the Yankees a legitimate back-end weapon that’s so needed during playoff runs. It’s also worth noting that the Yanks’ have had some big time closers struggle in the past, and then turn it around later. Even the great Goose Gossage — he was so bad at the start of the 1978 season it was like a bad nightclub routine. But as the club turned thing around, so did Gossage — and the Yankees came from 14 games back to take the pennant from the Red Sox.
On the field, the cash that would have been spent on Soto has also brought major returns. Paul Goldschmidt has provided a tremendous right handed bat, while also playing stellar defense at first — something the club would have otherwise lost with Anthony Rizzo moving on. Plus, Rizzo provided next to nothing with the bat last season. Cody Bellinger, like Rizzo a former Cub, has slotted in with great defense in the outfield, as well as power from the left handed side.
Yankees fans made themselves heard in the Bronx over the weekend, booing Soto vociferously every at bat, and serenading him with boos during his time in the outfield. Fans will be fans, and emotions as tied to past players always run strong.
Just remember, though — Soto saying no, no to the Yankees is the best thing ever to happen to the Yankees.
It is high, it is far, it is John!
-Sterling
