NY Mets are clearly getting the best of their free agent rivalry with the Yankees

For a rivalry drenched in history, ego, and more back-page ink than any two franchises in baseball, the New York Mets–New York Yankees arms race has always been framed as a financial heavyweight fight. Big market vs. bigger market. Deep pockets vs. deeper pockets.

But over the last several years — and especially under Steve Cohen — the free-agent scorecard tells a completely different story. And it’s one the Yankees probably don’t want examined too closely.

Mets’ free agent scorecard vs. Yankees isn’t even close anymore

Let’s start with the former Mets who became Yankees. Recently compiled by @SleeperMets, the list includes:

Paul Blackburn, Rico Garcia, Marcus Stroman, Dom Smith, J.D. Davis, Amed Rosario, Pablo Reyes, Jay Bruce, Miguel Castro, Neil Walker, Luis Avilán, Anthony Banda, Jacob Barnes, Phil Bickford, Dennis Santana, Michael Tonkin…

And that’s just the highlight reel, if we can call it that. It reads less like a talent pipeline and more like the transaction log for a team desperately wallpapering over roster holes with whatever semi-familiar names they can find. Depth arms, bench bats, bounce-backs, lottery tickets — the Yankees have essentially become the island of misfit ex-Mets. One man’s DFA is another man’s “depth piece,” apparently.

Now flip it. Here’s the list of former Yankees the Mets have signed under Cohen:

Devin Williams, Juan Soto, Frankie Montas, Luis Severino, Dellin Betances, Harrison Bader, Adam Ottavino, Gary Sánchez, David Robertson, Robinson Canó, Cameron Maybin, Nick Burdi, Tim Locastro, Brandon Drury, Stephen Tarpley, Mason Williams, Chasen Shreve, Eduardo Núñez, Todd Frazier, Luis Torrens, Ben Gamel…

Plus Buck Showalter and Carlos Mendoza for good measure.

One side is taking fliers on your old bullpen guy. The other side is taking your star left fielder, your former ace, your high-leverage relievers, and your managers.

This isn’t a rivalry. It's looting.

Juan Soto alone outscores half the Yankees’ list. Devin Williams, despite last year's struggles, turns the whole thing into a shutout. Even the role players the Mets have picked up — Ottavino, Robertson, and Frazier on the back half of his career — have delivered real, tangible impact in Queens. Compare that to the Yankees’ revolving door of former Mets relievers trying to survive a middle-inning appearance at Yankee Stadium.

If free agency is a tug-of-war between the two New York clubs, the Mets are dragging the Yankees across the pavement while occasionally stopping to grab another one of their players on the way.

And this is all happening under the same ownership era. The Cohen effect isn’t just financial — it’s directional. The Mets aren’t just “winning” the free-agent rivalry. They’re lapping the Yankees, smiling, and signing another former Yankee before the Yankees even realize the rope is gone.