Part 7/8:
Ultimately, for both the Mets and Yankees, the question that remains is: what constitutes a successful offseason? Ward and Hector both agree that for the respective teams, landing Soto is nearly synonymous with success.
For the Mets, while additional trades and solidifying their pitching staff could be seen as positive, failing to sign Soto would likely cast a shadow over their offseason efforts. Hector remarked that the Yankees face a more precarious situation, as the perception of losing Soto to the Mets could damage the organization in the eyes of fans and create long-lasting implications.