The list of 163 big leaguers who appeared in at least one game for the New York Yankees and New York Mets is filled with a potpourri of players who made cameo appearances and a handful of stars who created iconic moments for both the New York Yankees and New York Mets. Both boroughs are easily forgotten by even their most ardent fans.
No one will forget the 164th player who suited up for both Big Apple teams.
“Santa brought Soto this year,” said Todd Zeile, a veteran of both New York teams who donned the big man’s costume to a Mets holiday party for local children Thursday afternoon at Citi Field.
The Mets-Yankees dynamic and narrative changed forever last week when Juan Soto, who led the Yankees to the World Series in pinstripes, signed a 15-year contract worth at least $765 million with the Mets.
The blockbuster deal raised the temperature in an already hot Big Apple rivalry while creating a domino effect that saw the Yankees use the money they allocated for Soto to sign starting pitcher Max Fried and sign closer Devin Williams and an outfielder/first baseman. Cody Bellinger.
Immaculate Grid Cheat Codes Zeile, who has a unique perspective on the New York-New York battle as an analyst for SNY, spent a few minutes after handing out the gifts to discuss the impact of Soto’s decision on both sides of town and how it played out. It will impact the perception of both teams in New York. And if this winter’s flurry of activity can make it to the Subway Series, 25 years after he played in the first Yankees-Mets World Series.
Q: Did you know this could happen? Did you think that would happen?
Todd Line: I initially thought it was going to be really, really hard to entice Juan to leave the Yankees. It was a phenomenal season for him personally, not just because it was the Yankees, but because of his first experience in New York.
It was World Series season, and he really seemed like he fit in. Anecdotally speaking, there were a lot of things the Yankees liked about his adaptability and his relationship with (Aaron) Judge. So I thought all those factors would make it difficult.
I guess I didn’t want it to come down to who got paid the most. Because obviously it’s to Steve Cohen’s advantage. And as someone who has invested in this organization and has a vested interest in seeing it built and strengthened, I wanted him to commit to being a part of the Mets and not just reach the top dollar.
I saw it change, I heard it change. It was about the same time you did. It seemed like it was either the Yankees or it wasn’t the Mets and suddenly the family aspect, the personal aspect, some of the interactions he had with this organization seemed to turn the tide. And I think what I was most excited about signing was that it was these personal, anecdotal, intangible things that ultimately made a difference.
Q: ‘Where and when were you?’ It’s one of them. sports moment. So where were you? Were you on the SNY set?
Todd Line: I wasn’t like that. I was in South Carolina celebrating my daughter’s wedding. I got a text and a phone call, and I turned on Zoom and said, ‘Here I am.’ I was watching it that night, it was a Sunday night, and anyway, I was on my way to the winter meeting the next morning. So we’re going to report on it on Sunday night and then we’ll report on it over the course of the three-day winter meeting and actually measure the impact.
Q: What do you think about the Yankees’ response?
Todd Line: I think they made a smart move. We think of Soto’s AAV of $51 million and the $46 million they actually put in place to get three guys and cover up some holes. I think Devin Williams is a really good, interesting move. Look, they’re doing what they have to do to remain a contender and that’s always what you have to do in a pivot situation. You won’t land anyone, and you won’t stop. I think they made a great and interesting move.
Q: Will this intensify the Yankees-Mets rivalry?
Todd Line: “I think that would be interesting. Anyway, it’s been interesting over the years. Even if we only meet a few times a year, it’s always intense and fun. But yes, it will be interesting to see how Juan is welcomed or unwelcome on the other side of town. Heat it a little. I think from a historical perspective for the Mets, not only signing Juan Soto, the best free agent of the past few decades, or perhaps ever, but on the other side of town in pinstripes. So I think that’s going to be an interesting fundamental part of this over the next few years.”
Q: Does this make a Subway series more likely? Or is the playoff mess still the overwhelming factor here?
Todd Line: To be the last team standing, there is always a lot of luck involved in everything built and how it performs. But I think they are two teams that will definitely compete. So the odds and possibilities increase. I really want to see it someday.
Q: Can the Mets still be the Mets as we’ve known them forever?
Todd Line: I don’t think they will be the underdogs. I think the personality and magic that was present this year is embedded in the Mets culture. With the Soto signing or whatever they do, you know there’s going to be a moment with the Mets where you’re like, ‘Oh, I never saw this happen. How did this happen?’
One thing that can change and the dynamic that changes is that there is no expectation that the other shoe will drop. I think we’re losing that. When you come to spring training, you have high expectations, but you know there will be disappointments along the way. I think people will come to spring training and have high expectations. I think we’ll be happy somewhere. And that’s where I think the dynamic is changing.”
Q: Do you think the Mets can carve out a bigger niche than they had in New York?
Todd Line: Yes, of course. Right now, I think the Yankees’ winning tradition still makes the Yankees pinstripes an iconic brand in Major League Baseball. But I think the Mets are really establishing themselves in the city and have the goal and expectation of branding this organization outside of New York City as well. It must not be a local brand. It has to be a national brand and a global brand. And I think that’s the intention they have. And why not? Why not the Mets? They have all the pieces to do it. And I think that’s the next step.
