![\"basketball](\"https:\/\/static-assets.bleacherreport.net\/img\/\/atoms\/svg\/icons\/x-icon.svg\" "\\"basketball\\""){kind=icon}
<\/a>Featured Columnist IV<\/span><\/span>December 18, 2024<\/span><\/header>\n![\"basketball](\"https:\/\/media.bleacherreport.com\/image\/upload\/w_40,h_27,c_fill\/v1734483434\/ntgmvd9qror5cbk4bkai.jpg\" "\\"basketball\\"")
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<\/span>Jason Miller\/Getty Images<\/span><\/small><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Who says baseball rivalries can’t extend to the basketball court?<\/p>\n 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:<\/p>\n Donovan Mitchell @spidadmitchell<\/span><\/p>\n Soto???????? https:\/\/t.co\/jeRp4lsgLw<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Josh Hart @joshhart<\/span><\/p>\n Don’t worry we ain’t done yet https:\/\/t.co\/GYHPYvACLS<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n ESPN’s Jeff Passan<\/a> reported Tuesday the Yankees landed Bellinger and cash from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for relief pitcher Cody Poteet.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n That is welcome news for the Mets, who signed the five-time Silver Slugger to a record 15-year, $765 million contract<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n And Mitchell took full advantage of those bragging rights Tuesday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n