Donovan Mitchell Trolls Josh Hart After Soto Mets Contract, Bellinger Yankees Trade

Basketball

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekbasketball X.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVDecember 18, 2024

basketball CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 15: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers posts up against Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 15, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Jason Miller/Getty Images

Who says baseball rivalries can’t extend to the basketball court?

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart was fired up when the New York Yankees reportedly acquired Cody Bellinger on Tuesday, which drew a response from New York Mets fan and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell:

Donovan Mitchell @spidadmitchell

Soto???????? https://t.co/jeRp4lsgLw

Josh Hart @joshhart

Don’t worry we ain’t done yet https://t.co/GYHPYvACLS

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Tuesday the Yankees landed Bellinger and cash from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for relief pitcher Cody Poteet.

While Bellinger gives the Bronx Bombers a proven bat for their lineup with a resume that includes a National League Rookie of the Year and NL MVP, it still isn’t realistic to expect him to replicate the lost production of Juan Soto.

That is because Soto is one of the best players in the entire league and, at just 26 years old, should continue to put up peak production for seasons to come.

That is welcome news for the Mets, who signed the five-time Silver Slugger to a record 15-year, $765 million contract this offseason. It was a franchise-altering move and gave their fans some bragging rights inside the city since Soto decided not to return to the Yankees.

And Mitchell took full advantage of those bragging rights Tuesday.

Read More Scott Polacek

Latest

Green steel startup Boston Metal is doubling down on critical metals

The startup Boston Metal has raised a $75 million funding round to produce critical metals, MIT Technology Review can exclusively report.   The company has been known largely for its efforts to clean up steel production, an industry that's responsible for about 8% of global greenhouse emissions today. With the additional money, the new focus could

Embracer Follows Ubisoft In Splitting Off New Publisher To Handle Huge IP, Tomb Raider & LOTR Included

Say hello to Fellowship Entertainment by Ben Kerry 11 hours ago Embracer Group has today announced plans to create a secondary publishing label called Fellowship Entertainment, in order to "capture the full potential of the high-quality assets" that the group currently owns. The Swedish game publisher says that it hopes to spin off Fellowship Entertainment

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Daughter Apple Martin in Nancy Meyers Movie

Gwyneth Paltrow's Daughter Apple Martin Makes Directorial Debut With Student Show Apple Martin doesn’t fall far from the tree. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin ’s daughter will be following in her mom’s acting footsteps and making her movie debut in Nancy Meyers’ upcoming film, Deadline and Entertainment Weekly reported on May 18. The 22-year-old—who graduated

Newsletter

Don't miss

Green steel startup Boston Metal is doubling down on critical metals

The startup Boston Metal has raised a $75 million funding round to produce critical metals, MIT Technology Review can exclusively report.   The company has been known largely for its efforts to clean up steel production, an industry that's responsible for about 8% of global greenhouse emissions today. With the additional money, the new focus could

Embracer Follows Ubisoft In Splitting Off New Publisher To Handle Huge IP, Tomb Raider & LOTR Included

Say hello to Fellowship Entertainment by Ben Kerry 11 hours ago Embracer Group has today announced plans to create a secondary publishing label called Fellowship Entertainment, in order to "capture the full potential of the high-quality assets" that the group currently owns. The Swedish game publisher says that it hopes to spin off Fellowship Entertainment

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Daughter Apple Martin in Nancy Meyers Movie

Gwyneth Paltrow's Daughter Apple Martin Makes Directorial Debut With Student Show Apple Martin doesn’t fall far from the tree. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin ’s daughter will be following in her mom’s acting footsteps and making her movie debut in Nancy Meyers’ upcoming film, Deadline and Entertainment Weekly reported on May 18. The 22-year-old—who graduated

Lil Wayne speaks out after feeling overlooked by Coachella and the Grammys

Music Lil Wayne reacts to Coachell and Grammys snub Award-winning...

Tesla’s Business Has Become Much More Diversified in Just the Past Five Years. Does That Make Its Stock a Better Buy Today?

Key Points Tesla's energy generation and storage segment generated 27% revenue growth last year. The company's non-automotive segments were able to help offset a double-digit decline in auto revenue in 2025. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is known for its electric vehicles (EVs), and while they

WD sees sustainability as key business driver in an ‘AI economy’

Hard drive company WD promoted long-term operations and sustainability executive Jackie Jung to become its first chief sustainability officer in February, as it steps up sales to companies building AI data centers. Her vision: Turn sustainability into a “brand” for WD, a strategy that reduces risk for the $6 billion company (formerly known as Western

5 Business Ideas Worth Starting in 2026

If there is one thing Nigerians understand well, it is how to spot opportunity inside hardship. In 2026, that mindset will matter more than ever. The economy is tough, competition is rising, and many people are looking for smarter ways to earn, build, and survive. But even in a difficult environment, some businesses still stand