DALLAS – It’s been a year. A pretty glorious year that featured one of the most memorable hitting battles in Yankees history – a hit that gave the organization its first World Series appearance in 15 years. But it was Juan and done.

Now the Yankees have to figure out how to spend the money they didn’t invest in Juan Soto on a group of players they can keep as elite players. What should encourage them? Well, Scott Boras has had free agent clients as young and special as Soto before. Alex Rodriguez left Seattle after the 2000 season and the Mariners won a record 116 games the following year. Bryce Harper left Washington after the 2018 season and the Nationals won it all the following season (with Soto starring).

There is a tomorrow. But the Yankees have to accomplish a lot all at once, which is no particular specialty for them – see (among others) Ellsbury, Jacoby after Robinson Cano’s escape. With Soto there might have been guesswork in 2037 and 2038. But not in 2025.

And that’s why so much stands out for Hal Steinbrenner. Under his leadership, for the first time, a great player left the Yankees’ post for the Mets. It threatens to change the balance of power in baseball in New York.