The Yankees are starting to get really nervous about losing Juan Soto to the Mets.

New York Yankees left Game 1 of the World Series heartbroken after Nestor Cortez’s second pitch in 37 days was sent several rows deep into the right-field stands in the bottom of the 10th inning. Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman with two outs and the bases loaded started the first player in history. Grand Slam tournament in World Series history.

It was special moment in Los Angeles and a major missed opportunity for the Yankees, who came painfully close to stealing home field advantage and turning this series on its head. Instead, the Dodgers will take a 2-0 series lead on Saturday night and the Yankees will have their back to the wall early.

New York has a lot to worry about right now. No one in the locker room is thinking about the offseason or free agency. You don’t have much of a chance to bring home a World Series title, even if you’re the Bronx Bombers.

However, the Yankees front office is certainly keeping an eye on the upcoming free agent market. This winter will have profound implications for the future of Yankees baseball. Several key players are eligible to become free agents, with the most notable being right fielder Juan Soto.

The 26-year-old arrived in New York via trade last offseason and, true to Scott Boras form, did not renew his contract. He will be looking to make the most money as a free agent, which could prove problematic for the Yankees.

But which team can outspend the Yankees? The No. 1 most historic baseball franchise in the market?

Well, their neighbors. Steve Cohen and the Infinitely Rich New York Mets are hiding, and it is clear that the Yankees are sufficiently frightened by the approaching Halloween.

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“Going from the Yankees to the Mets… it’s hype“One Yankees employee told Jon Heyman about New York Post.

Of course, this is a simple argument in favor of the Yankees – they are Yankees! — but this seems quite defensive at this early stage in the process. The Mets won’t be courting Soto (officially) for a few weeks, but the Yankees are already dumping the press midway through the World Series. It’s a shame we didn’t get Yankees-Mets because that would have further intensified the upcoming free agency battle.

The Yankees are going to offer Soto a lot of money, but it’s almost guaranteed that the Mets will end up being the highest bidder. There is no richer team in this sport, and Soto may be the best free agent of his generation. With the Mets so close to the World Series, there is no excuse for not pursuing Soto’s services. He could very well take this Mets team to first place, and he would simply leave one MVP candidate in Aaron Judge instead of another in Francisco Lindor.

This comment is just ridiculous and a bad look at the Yankees organization. Random hits on the Mets while you’re in the middle World Series Baseball just reads like the behavior of an underdog, almost as if the Yankees are hedging their bets and avoiding the inevitable disappointment.

Soto’s friend told New York Post about “early speed bumps” in his relationship with the Yankees and noted that Soto’s return to the Bronx was by no means guaranteed. So, the stage is set for a bitter and furious free agency war, and the Yankees are clearly ready No in pole position.