Yankees look like AL favorites after nailing their post-Juan Soto Plan B

Considering they became the first team ever to lose a $765 million player, the Yankees are doing all right for themselves. 

But before we commence with well-earned plaudits from their superb winter rally, let’s briefly consider how they lost the great Juan Soto to their heretofore little brothers 8.5 miles to the southeast. Undoubtedly, it was an intracity upset for the ages. 

Not only did the Yankees never expect to bid $760 million, they never expected to lose him, certainly not to the Mets. Initially and understandably, they surmised it was the money that sold Soto, and said so. But after a couple weeks’ worth of new info and updated introspection, I think they get it now. 

Soto didn’t bolt for the extra $5 million, which amounts to 0.6 percent more (so little the Yankees almost surely would have matched it given the chance) — though of course Steve Cohen’s willingness to spend, and keep spending, didn’t hurt. Soto left mainly for family.