Yankees' one positive insider growing pessimistic in Juan Soto chase is bad news

Just 24 hours ago, Yankees insider Bob Klapisch was the fanbase's beacon of hope. While MLB insiders like Jon Heyman and Ken Rosenthal seemed to agree that Juan Soto joining the Mets was the "most likely" outcome of this winter's free agent frenzy, Klapisch shared perspective from the Yankees personnel side of their meeting with the slugger and Scott Boras. He indicated that Steinbrenner had promised Soto upgrades and pledged to compete financially with Steve Cohen, while Soto dove deeper in an honest conversation about the team's player development outlook. If you were looking for positive Yankees momentum, it came courtesy of whoever Klapisch spoke to (felt like Randy Levine, to be honest), who was "encouraged" by the meeting.

And yet, the morning after, there was Klapisch, wary of Steinbrenner's Wednesday quotes and beginning to believe in the necessity of a Plan B. One conference at the Owners' Meetings apparently shifted Klapisch's perspective (though he continued to maintain that some Yankees personnel believe they're the favorites).

Not only did the venerated insider seem to hint that he believed Steinbrenner sounded defeated by Steve Cohen's trillions, but he even began to argue for the Plan B (whatever that entails) as a wiser option than getting into an unwinnable $750-800 million bidding war.

"If Soto follows the money – and only the money – Steinbrenner will finish second. He’ll tell the public Soto and Boras prioritized profit over legacy. He’ll be missed, but the Yankees shouldn’t cry. Plan B is the smart move," Klapisch wrote. Truly, the Yankees' profits might be the real winners here.

Bob Klapisch's latest column reason for Yankees fans to be pessimistic in Juan Soto chase?

There certainly is a level of financial commitment where a Soto bidding war begins to get a little bit silly. $800 million for a player who forces Aaron Judge uncomfortably into center field, but makes up for it with poor defense that's only getting worse? $850 million?

That said, the Yankees are the Yankees. Sure, they can spread the wealth around on Christian Walker, Blake Snell, and Corbin Burnes. Hell, it might even work -- after all, the Mets are also the Mets. Are you positive they'll remain on an upward trajectory if they dump a garage full of gold doubloons at Soto's feet?

Of course, last season, the Yankees were a flawed defensive team with questionable athleticism, receding rotation depth, and a mysterious bullpen -- and they made the World Series because of Juan Soto. He truly might be the only player in the game who's that impactful, which the Yankees very well might find out soon.