The list of 163 big names who have participated in at least one game of the New York Yankees and New York Mets is full of pot-primixes from the few stars who have created iconic moments on both sides of town, and players whose cameos of either roses have been forgotten even by fan stubborns.
No one forgets that the 164th player is suitable for both Big Apple teams.
“This year, Santa delivered Soto,” said Todd Zeil, a veteran of the New York team who wore a big guy costume for the Mets holiday party for a local kids in Citifield on Thursday afternoon.
The dynamics and story of the Mets Yankees changed forever last week. Juan Soto led the Yankees to the World Series in his lonely season with Pinstripes, signing a 15-year contract worth at least $765 million with the Mets.
The blockbuster signature lifted the temperature of the already hot Big Apple rivalry, with the Yankees using the money allocated to Soto to sign starting pitcher Max Fried, winning Devin Williams and outfielder/first bass man cody belling.
Zeile, a pure white grid cheat code who has a unique perspective on the battle between New York and New York as an analyst for SNY, took a few minutes to hand out gifts to discuss the impact of Soto’s decisions on both sides of town and how it would affect the perceptions of both teams in New York.
Q: You knew this could happen. Did you think that would happen?
Toddline: At first I thought it was a really, very difficult task to seduce Juan to leave the Yankees. It was a personally incredible season for him, not because he was a Yankees, but because of his first experience in New York.
It was the year of the World Series, he really seemed to fit in there. Anecdotely, anecdotely, there have been many good things that the Yankees have come up about his suitability and their relationship with Judge (Aaron). So I thought all these factors were going to make it challenging.
I think I wanted it to be more than just who has the biggest paycheck. Obviously, that’s because they’re weighing Steve Cohen. And as a man with a vested interest in being invested in this organization and seeing it built and strengthened, I wanted him to not only promise to be a member of the Mets, but also to be a member of the Mets.
I saw it shifted, I heard it change almost at the same time you did. It looked like a Yankees or non-met, then suddenly, it seemed that aspects of its family, personal aspects, some of his interactions with this organization had changed the tide. And I think what makes me most happy with the signature is that it was part of the personal, anecdote, intangible thing that could make a difference.
Q: This is one of the following: “When were you there?” Sports moments. So where were you? Were you on the SNY set?
Toddline: I wasn’t. I was in South Carolina celebrating my daughter’s wedding. I got a text and a call and went to Zoom and said, “I’m here.” That night I was keeping an eye on it, it was a Sunday night, and anyway on my way to a winter meeting the following morning. So I’ve reported it on a Sunday night, reported it three days of winter meetings, and really measured its impact.
Q: What do you think about the Yankees’ movements?
Toddline: I think they did some smart moves. I’m thinking about $51 million, the AAV for SOTO and $46 million that they unfolded so that they actually hide some holes with three guys. I think Devin Williams is a really good, interesting move. Look, they do what they need to do to keep the candidates, and that was always what you have to do in a pivot situation. You won’t land anyone, you wouldn’t have stopped. I think they made some good, funny moves.
Q: Will this raise the Yankee Smets’ rivalry?
Toddline: “I think it’s going to be interesting. It’s been interesting for years anyway. It’s always something. Even if they only meet a handful of them a year, it’s always fierce and fun. But yeah, it’s funny to see Juan being welcomed or not being welcomed on the other side of town. It’s a bit heated. From the Mets’ historical perspective, I think it’s a bit satisfying, not only signing Juan Soto, the last few decades or perhaps the best free agent of all time, but also coming from Pinstripe to the other side of town. So I think it will be an interesting and fundamental piece of this for the next few years.”
Q: Does this make the subway series more likely, or is the playoff crap still an overwhelming factor here?
Toddline: To be the final team, there is always a lot of luck on everything else built and performance. But I think they are certainly two teams that they intend to compete for. That increases probability and chance. At some point, I want to see it.
Q: Can the Mets still be the Mets because we know forever?
Toddline: I don’t think they’ll become weak. I think the personality and magic that existed this year are inherent to Mets culture. Whether Soto has signed, or whatever they’re doing, I know there will be a Mets moment like, “Oh, I’ve never seen this come, how did this happen.”
One thing that may change and the dynamic that changes is that there is no expectation that other shoes will fall. I think we’re losing it – you come to spring training and although your hopes for spring training are high, you know you’ll be disappointed somewhere along the line. I think people come to spring training and raise expectations and think it’s okay. And that’s where I think the dynamics I think are changing. ”
Q: Do you think the Mets can carve out a bigger niche than they had in New York?
Toddline: Yes, certainly. For now, the Yankees’ victory tradition still considers the Yankees’ pinstripes to be an iconic brand of Major League Baseball. But I think the Mets are really carving the city’s location, and I think they have a goal and hope to brand this organization outside of New York City. This should not be a regional brand. This must be a national and global brand. And I think that’s the intent they have. And why? Why not the Mets? They have every piece that can do it. And I think that’s the next step.
