I can make a very simple and solid argument that the Yankees are better than the Mets.

Same record, tougher division.

In this case, success is relative. The Mets are in first place while the Yankees are in third place.

Success is also judged against expectations. The 2021 Yankees are failures because they have under-performed in a big way.

The story of the 2021 Yankees has mostly already been written. It's not pretty. They aren't winning the AL East:

"You don’t make deals like the Yankees made this week for Joey Gallo and Anthony Rizzo to win a wild card in the American League. You make moves like this to win the American League East. Full stop."

Right.

As in, "I know nothing about baseball or mathematics, so anyone reading this article can stop doing so."

I'd say the Yankees made these moves as a last-gasp effort to catch the A's and the Mariners. It increases their chances of holding off the Blue Jays, who made some decent additions of their own. I no longer think the Yankees will finish the season under .500, I'll give them that much.

The Yankees might catch the Red Sox and the Rays ... nothing is impossible ... but it would require sudden surges by just about everyone on the team not named Joey Gallo and Anthony Rizzo.