It’s a tale as old as time — let the top guys bail out a flawed playoff lineup, no matter the sport. I can think of a multitude of examples just here in New York. The Rangers relied on their top players (and their power play) way too heavily, and when they went cold, the team was nothing. The Knicks in the Pacers series with Jalen Brunson — once he went down, they had nothing. Josh Allen is carrying the Buffalo Bills year after year. I could go on and on.

This story does not exclude the 2024 Yankees. Despite being just a couple of wins shy of their 28th ring, the Yankees flaked out when their top guys couldn’t bail them out. Aaron Judge dropping the ball, Nestor Cortes giving up the home run, Juan Soto and Judge unable to always come up in big spots — the list goes on. Meanwhile, the Dodgers had continuity throughout their lineup. Tommy Edman and Max Muncy were not automatic outs, and that’s what made them so powerful.

The storyline surrounding the Yankees all summer was losing Soto. Soto was a phenomenal Yankee — there’s no sugarcoating it — and losing him wasn’t just gut-wrenching, it was the manner in which they lost him. Hal Steinbrenner did what he had to do as the Yankees’ owner, but ultimately, Soto didn’t want to be a Yankee. And as Yankees fans, we only want players who want to be here. With that in mind, I’m okay with losing him.

At the end of the day, Soto is nice to have, but he is not a necessity. Why splurge on a designer bag when you can allegedly take the subway and buy a fake one that serves the exact same purpose? Maybe you can even get a couple to fill out your lineup of bags. The Yankees don’t need one superstar to carry them — they need a balanced, complete team.

Entering this season without Juan Soto, it almost felt like the Yankees had no given identity. But I think the uncertainty surrounding this franchise is a blessing in disguise. Without a set identity, they now have the opportunity to shape one for themselves, and it starts with the young players. Soto’s abrupt departure has opened the door for emerging players to get a legitimate opportunity, win or lose. Among those names are Ben Rice, Anthony Volpe, Jasson Domínguez and Austin Wells. The opening series with the Milwaukee Brewers was a microcosm of what those players can bring. Wells wasted no time showcasing his power, blasting a home run in his first at-bat on Opening Day — becoming the first catcher in MLB history to do so. Volpe got on the board with a home run, Domínguez put up some hits, and Rice — the least experienced of the group — had some great at-bats, putting the ball off the wall and out of the park. The Yankees seem to be rejuvenating their Baby Bombers era, and I don’t think Yankees fans mind that at all.

While we’re talking about young talent, we also have players like Jazz Chisholm Jr., who hit three home runs in the opening series. When the Brewers elected not to pitch to the best player in baseball — who, by the way, is still on the Yankees — Chisholm took that personally and drove in both him and Judge. Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger, while maybe not in their prime, still give this team depth. Those are not players pitchers can afford to take lightly, because they will make you pay.

Soto’s departure has forced the Yankees to finally adopt a true team approach — starting with the top guys and trickling down the lineup. This team, while still holding high expectations, faces far less pressure than they might be used to. Giving every hitter a clear-cut role will make them a tough team to play against. It’s great to see the young guys given a legitimate chance to develop into stars, which will ultimately help the Yankees establish long-term success — despite doubters claiming they can’t.

Speaking of pressure, let’s talk about the Mets — because now, they have all of it. Soto choosing to go to the crosstown rival gave Mets fans the sense that he left because they are closer to winning a World Series. But that has only put immense pressure on the Mets — not just to perform but to outshine the Yankees in every metric. I hate to say it (no, I don’t), but it feels like a World Series or bust for the Mets, especially given how their fanbase has been flaunting that $765 million contract. By the way, I could never stomach Soto making almost double what Judge is making. That’s just asking for locker room tension. Judge is the face of the Yankees, and Soto couldn’t stand to be in the background.

Thanks to Soto, the Yankees now have no choice but to find a winning formula that utilizes their entire lineup. Despite Soto only wearing real pinstripes for one season, his departure has given the Yankees a rallying point and motivation. He essentially claimed that the Yankees’ players weren’t good enough.

Prove him wrong, New York. And yes — the Yankees are still New York’s team. Always have been, and always will be.