With the Super Bowl in the rear-view mirror, the attention of many city sports fans has already turned to the upcoming baseball season – and New Yorkers have plenty to look forward to this year, according to longtime MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds.
Both teams found themselves in the final four last year. They both have similar expectations this season, but there’s one big change: Juan Soto has moved across town to Queens.
Reynolds, a former MLB All Star himself, said the days of the Mets being the underdogs are long gone now that they acquired Soto from their cross-town rivals.
“They paid a lot of money to get him, but he's a tremendous player, and he'll be their franchise guy moving forward,” Reynolds said during an interview on “Mornings On 1” Tuesday.
In addition to signing Soto, the Mets also added right-handers Frankie Montas, Clay Holmes and Griffin Canning along with left-hander A.J. Minter, and re-signed left-hander Sean Manaea, right-hander Ryne Stanek and outfielder Jesse Winker.
But it was re-signing first baseman Pete Alonso that may put them over the edge this year, Reynolds said.
“I know it took a long time for Met fans to see him back in the fold, but that completes their offense. Without him, I think they'd really been lacking quite a bit,” he said.
As for the Yankees, Reynolds said, despite losing out on a generational talent like Soto, they’re set up for another run at the World Series.
“Well, you would think it's impossible to replace Soto, but I think they're better. The moves they made, if you can give me four All-Star players, one of them being a closer and Cody Bellinger can play completely all over the field for you, I'll take that over Soto,” he said. “I think the Yankees are better. I think they're deeper, and I think they're going to be way more fun to watch.”