After Soto signed with the Mets, the Yankees pivoted and used part of the money to sign Max Fried and Paul Goldschmidt, and trade for Cody Bellinger. Fried has been arguably the best pitcher in the league this year and Goldschmidt has been a revelation at first base. Bellinger, after a slow start, has been very good the last 2-3 weeks.

Juan Soto knows what he will get Friday night. In his first trip back to Yankee Stadium since spurning the Bronx Bombers and signing a $765 million deal with the Mets, the 26-year old slugger knows emotions will be high in the stands. He will be booed. He will be heckled. He will be jeered.

New York Yankees fans will likely create a hostile environment as their team hosts the New York Mets for the first time since Juan Soto left.