Both the Yankees and Mets were given meetings with superstar Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki but both surely understand they’re not the favorites here.

Here we’ll assess the markets of the top five guys remaining in MLB free agency.

Pete Alonso remains a free agent for this reason.

There’s absolutely no good reason he shouldn’t be a Met again.

General manager Brian Cashman isn’t about to declare a postseason in which the Yankees lost an all-time great an unmitigated success. He’s too smart for that. So we’ll do it for him.

After going head-to-head for Juan Soto, the Yankees and Mets battled for Roki Sasaki on the very same day. 

Fresh off winning the Juan Soto sweepstakes, the Mets have entered into the Roki Sasaki chase. 

Soto isn’t in New York to go clubbing. He’s only here to play for the club. 

The Giants and Jays are among a half-dozen teams showing significant interest in star right-hander Corbin Burnes.

Juan Soto’ contract details were obtained, and even beyond the historic $765 million in salary, there are unusual perks galore.

Cody Bellinger looks like a fit for the Yankees as a lefty-hitting first baseman/center fielder, but the Bombers and Cubs remain far apart on money.

It took the Yankees only two days to rally from losing Juan Soto big-time, signing Max Fried to the largest free-agent contract for a lefty ever.

Steve Cohen believed he was the most motivated owner, and he also believed it would ultimately come down to the two New York teams.

Steve Cohen is a different kind of owner, for the Mets or for anyone else, really.

Both New York teams showed how serious they are with recent changes to offers, and both now have extended bids above Shohei Ohtani’s record $700 million deal.

At least four teams — Mets, Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays — are thought to be at least in range of that record MLB figure, previously attained by only international superstar Shohei Ohtani. 

Nothing against LA. But let’s face it, the Dodgers are simply too good already. 

The Yankees upgraded their initial bid within the past couple of days to superstar free agent outfielder Juan Soto, perhaps improving their position in a free agent sweepstakes that involves at least five big-market teams.

For the Yankees, it is not just a regional rival but a blood rival that looms as a serious threat in the Juan Soto derby.

While the O’s surrendered some prospects at the deadline, this may be their best hope for an ace.