I like this question not because Jacob deGrom and Aaron Judge are going to switch teams in the crosstown rivalry -- they aren’t -- but because it’s different and provides a brief opportunity to answer by delving into the following points:

1. Steve Cohen and Hal Steinbrenner have quietly struck up a collegial relationship since Cohen took over the Mets. They speak from time to time, and were on the same side of the luxury tax issue, which was a key sticking point in the small market/large market divide among owners during the recent lockout. Both Cohen and Steinbrenner wanted fewer reins on spending.

Their mutual understanding has quietly brought a period of mutually respectful relations between the Yankees and Mets.

2. As first reported here on the morning that Aaron Judge rejected the Yankees’ contract extension offer this April, Cohen and the Mets do not expect to pursue Judge in free agency. They already have a $300-plus million player in Francisco Lindor and don’t want to tie up payroll and roster flexibility more than they already have.

Plus, the starting rotation will have to be a major focus for Billy Eppler this winter, because Jacob deGrom, Chris Bassitt, Taijuan Walker and possibly Carlos Carrasco (team option) are all on track to hit free agency.

3. The Yankees loved deGrom a few years ago, because who wouldn’t. Back in 2018, when the Mets were considering trading deGrom for a huge prospect haul like the Chicago White Sox had done with Chris Sale, Brian Cashman’s mouth was watering. But that was before injuries prevented deGrom from pitching in more than a calendar year.

The educated hunch here is that the Yankees are as worried about committing to deGrom as many other teams. A strong few months for deGrom could change the perception again, of course, but as of now, deGrom seems more likely to flee for another city than the Bronx.

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