Steve is reading the New York Post, where he learns Yamamoto has signed with the Dodgers.
STEVE: (exasperated) I don’t get it, Jerry! I offered him everything. I even cooked him dinner. Why won’t anyone take my money?
JERRY: (sarcastically) Maybe it’s not you, it’s them. You know, it’s not you, it’s me.
STEVE: (increasingly frustrated) But what’s there not to like about me? I’m a catch in the baseball world!
JERRY: (deadpan) Yeah, you’re every free agent’s dream.
STEVE: (gesticulating with the newspaper) I’m offering top salaries, bonuses, a chance to play in New York! It’s the Big Apple, Jerry!
JERRY: (shrugging) Maybe they’re more into oranges. You know, California?
STEVE: (sitting down, defeated) I just thought money talked in this game.
JERRY: (philosophically) Maybe it whispers, Steve. Maybe it whispers.
STEVE: (rants) I’m offering top dollar here, Jerry! It’s like they’re allergic to my money.
JERRY: (teasing) Maybe they heard about your ‘fantastic’ team management skills.
STEVE: (ignoring the jab) I just don’t understand what the Dodgers have that I don’t!
INT. JERRY’S APARTMENT – LATER
Kramer bursts in, decked out in Dodgers gear, much to Steve’s annoyance.
KRAMER: (cheerfully) Hey, did you guys hear? The Dodgers got Yamamoto now! They’ve got all the greats – Betts, Ohtani, Yamamoto!
STEVE: (irritated) Yes, Kramer, we heard
KRAMER: (excitedly) They’re stacking up like pancakes over there!
STEVE: (irritated) Yeah, Kramer, they have everyone.
Elaine breezes into the apartment, catching the tail end of Kramer’s enthusiastic outburst about the Dodgers “stacking up like pancakes.”
ELAINE: (smelling the air) Are you guys making pancakes?
JERRY: (gesturing to Steve) No, that’s just Steve stewing over free agents.
ELAINE: (looking at Steve) What’s with him?
STEVE: (sighing heavily) I offered Yamamoto everything, Elaine. And he signs with the Dodgers!
ELAINE: (perplexed) Who’s Yamamoto?
JERRY: (explaining) He’s a baseball player. Steve’s been trying to sign him for the Mets.
STEVE: (dejectedly) And it seems like everyone I try to sign ends up going somewhere else. It’s like I’m cursed!
ELAINE: (teasing) Maybe you’re not offering enough pancakes.
KRAMER: (cluelessly) You know, Steve, maybe it’s the energy you’re putting out there. You gotta project success!
STEVE: (sarcastically) Oh, is that what I’m doing wrong? I should just ‘project success’?
KRAMER: (nodding) Absolutely! It’s all about the vibes, the energy. You know, aura!
KRAMER: (oblivious to Steve’s mood) I’m telling you, it’s the aura of the team. The Dodgers’ aura is just unbeatable!
JERRY: (laughing) Maybe you should start investing in auras instead of players, Steve.
STEVE: (despondently) Maybe I should just start a cooking show instead.