Yankees should ruin Mets fans' lives with this Juan Soto revenge trade

Any Mets fan who these days will tell you that Juan Soto leaving the Yankees shouldn't be a big deal, considering he spent only one year in the Bronx, while also telling you at the exact same time that stealing Soto is the greatest moment of their lives to date. It sure would be nice to shut those folks up with a franchise history-shaking counter-move.

The backup plan and pivot has been great so far. Cody Bellinger grand slammed in Soto's face. Max Fried and Paul Goldschmidt have been pitch-perfect additions. Devin Williams has also been an addition. Now, with the trade deadline approaching, it's time for the Yankees to take it one step further.

Make no mistake, this Yankees team is surprising, but it isn't performing over its skis. The run differential is there. The lineup balance, too. The only reason they're coming in under their projected pythagorean record are a few early Williams and Mark Leiter Jr. meltdowns before management took action. But it's hard not to think about what a wonderful place they'd be in with Gerrit Cole lining up ahead of Fried and Carlos Rodón.

It will be near-impossible to fortify the Yankees' rotation with a bonafide ace this summer, but they'll certainly be on the hunt for a high-upside righty to at least approximate the possibility. Nathan Eovaldi of the Texas Rangers would be a great add, if their offense continues to sputter. But if the Yankees are willing to take on Eovaldi's money (big if), and if the Rangers decide to sell (smaller if), there's a way to pay a bit more cash and make Mets fans miserable.

Surely ... you guys are over Jacob deGrom by now, right? He meant nothing to you, never won you a ring or anything? Seeing him in pinstripes won't make you feel like you're getting peeled like an apple, right? Ok, great, because we'll be taking him now.

Yankees should get revenge on Mets for Juan Soto signing by forcing them to watch Jacob deGrom in pinstripes

Oh, why the long faces, Mets fans? We don't even get it. He's just a former player who used to play for you, and now he's gone. Why do you care?

The fly in the ointment is that deGrom still has 2.5 years left of his $37 million AAV contract, and the Yankees would be responsible for $18.5 million if they acquired him at this year's deadline. They gave themselves about ~$10 million worth of luxury tax wiggle room, and don't have much more salary to shed (except Trent Grisham's $5 million, but that would make no sense).

At this point, though ... if the Yankees are still this solidified a contender when July approaches, they have to wield some more of the financial flexibility they gained when Soto left to get them over the top, don't they? Where's that Gerrit Cole insurance money when you need it? Come on, Hal! There's a work stoppage coming in 2027. You won't even have to pay that year of deGrom's deal!

We all saw that smirk on deGrom's face at Yankee Stadium when the Rangers came to visit and he locked eyes with Aaron Judge. We also all see his 2.42 ERA and 0.963 WHIP in 11 starts. He turns 37 years old in mid-June. Do the Rangers believe in absorbing his age-38 and 39 seasons? Shouldn't it be easier for the Yankees to stomach them, now that Soto and his .220 average aren't clogging their books?

Come on, Hal. Show Mets fans what you can do — and why ties to former players can still tug the heartstrings.