Thursday was Soto’s first game back in New York since his comments on how “different” things have been not hitting in front of Yankees slugger Judge, whom he called “the best hitter in baseball.” In free agency, Soto turned down the Yankees’ 16-year, $760 million offer for the Mets’: 15 years, $765 million (which could reach $805 million).

So far, it seems like pitchers are intent to let anyone but Soto in the Mets lineup beat them. And it's resulted in a strong start to the season for slugging first baseman Pete Alonso, who, entering play Tuesday, leads the National League with a 1.136 OPS.

Yankees fans delighting in Soto's so-called struggles might be better off focusing on what his replacement has done. Ben Rice has seen a massive uptick in plate appearances due to Soto's depature and the mysterious injury to Giancarlo Stanton.