The Yankees have landed Juan Soto, and the focus now will be on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who Gio says has to be top priority now for the Mets, or they will once again be dwarfed by their New York rivals.
"If they lose out on Yamamoto by giving the highest offer and he still chooses to go to the Yankees, that's gonna make the Mets look terrible," Gio said. "I think Steve Cohen's really gotta go above and beyond to get Yamamoto, because quite frankly, the Yankees are a more appealing place for someone that's coming over from Japan.
"I want the Mets to get him. But if you're saying all things equal with the money, he's not coming to the Mets. I know Kodai Senga is here now with the Mets, but the Yankees have a long history with Japanese players succeeding here with that uniform. The Yankees are the top team, they are a global brand and they really are going to have an advantage if he doesn't care about the whole New York market thing like Shohei Ohtani does."
Gio is worried the Yanks will also land Yamamoto, which will be a significant dent in Cohen's reputation as the owner that was supposed to shift the balance of power in the city.
"If Hal and Cashman hit on Yamamoto," Gio said. "Then Steve Cohen is going to look like the little brother once again."
