Episode 3: Life after Soto

I’m obsessed with Yankee baseball. Like I mentioned in episode 1, they are number 1 on the power rankings and the team that brings me so much joy and heartbreak. So it’s time to break the seal and talk about what happened over the offseason. I went through all the stages of Grief. Denial, anger, depression and acceptance. Let’s look at how it turned out.

Grief:

I was at a bar in Gilbert, Arizona with my closest friend. This was the only good news about the day that Juan Soto chose the Mets. At least I can drink away my sorrows and cry away my tears with a beer in my hand. Soto was everything the Yankees needed and more. The 2024 season and road to the World Series was one of the more fun rides I have been on as a fan of this team. His energy and spiciness was unmatched by anyone and he brought something the Yankees haven’t had in years: a maniac ( in a good way). He didn’t live up to expectations on the Yanks, he lapped them. He made everyone around him better. His Home run in the ALCS to send the Yankees to the World Series was one of my top 6 moments of being a fan. I screened, punched my friend, almost cried, kissed my wife all because of what Juan Soto just did for this franchise. Now it’s all gone. Was it even real? Did I dream it? The pain.

I blinked and it was all over. The fateful tweet for Passan letting us know he was going to the Mets. The team in which all year I was so loud to and letting them know there’s no chance they get him.

Denial:

He loves the Yankees and their history and us fans. He’s ours forever and we’ll never be happier. I was way wrong (which is common). He was never even that good right? He only hit like 400 when it mattered and barely got any big hits in the playoffs? Aside from his home run in the ALCS what did he do for us? Or the HR against Yamamoto…. Now I’m sad again.

How could he do this to us? How could he leave? Before I go further I will let you know that I do not blame Soto for leaving for the money. He did what was best for him and his family, but now I can never cheer for him again.

Anger:

He chose the Yankees enemy. He chose Queens over the Bronx. My only hope now is the rumors come out true that’s he’s actually 40. Maybe he will suck. Maybe all His powers will leave him when he puts on the ugly orange and blue. Dominguez and Belli will be better. He’s not worth the money. He’s overrated. (As a tear falls on my keyboard.)

Depression:

I have not been able to shake the fact that he is not on this team. I’m not excited for Yankees baseball even though they made some decent moves this offseason. He was the prize and instead they had to allocate the money elsewhere. Who knows maybe I am completely off with this and belli, and Jason will fill in better than we can anticipate. But it was Juan freaking Soto. The generational talent. I’m still so heartbroken and it may never get easier. A swear word will be said for each home run he has, each big hit. It was supposed to be us.

Acceptance:

So how do we move on? I think the Yankees are going to be competitive. I think they are in a tough division like usual. If the starting pitching can stay healthy and Dominguez can become what everyone thinks he can be, they will win the division. If Carlos Rodon can pitch like a quality number 3 and if Luis Gil can take another step forward from last year than the Yankees will have the best starting rotation in the AL and probably the second best behind the Dodgers. Anyway it is baseball season and I guess I have no other choice but to try and be happy and excited.

Signed,

A ruined Yankee fan for the foreseeable future