The New York Yankees fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series, however it was the Bombers’ first appearance in the Fall Classic since 2009. Outfielder Juan Soto had a significant role in New York’s success.
Can general manager Brian Cashman keep the superstar slugger on what could be a record-breaking contract? It is clear how he fits into the Yankees’ roster. ESPN’s Jeff Passan stated on Friday that re-signing Soto is “the perfect transaction” for the team. What if it doesn’t happen?
Replacing Soto’s production would involve acquiring multiple players. The 26-year-old is fresh off placing third in American League MVP Award voting thanks to a .989 OPS, 41 home runs, 109 RBI and 128 runs scored in 713 plate appearances. He was also quite clutch in the postseason, posting a 1.101 OPS with four homers, nine RBI and 12 runs scored in 64 trips to the plate.
The Athletic’s Tim Britton is projecting Soto’s next deal will be for 13 years and $611 million. So if the Yankees don’t re-sign the left-handed slugger, they’d hypothetically have plenty of money to spend on multiple players. How could they go about it, though?
“For example, they could sign Willy Adames to play third base, move Jazz Chisholm Jr. to center field, let Aaron Judge take Soto’s spot in right, sign Christian Walker or Pete Alonso to play first base, and add Blake Snell to the rotation — all for less than re-signing Soto will cost,” Passan wrote.
This potential backup plan could cost $380 million if Walker is the first baseman and $445 million if Alonso is the solution for that position, based on MLB Trade Rumors’ contract predictions. Here are the player-by-player predictions:
Adames: six years, $160 million
Walker: three years, $60 million
Alonso: five years, $125 million
Snell: five years, $160 million
Passan also doesn’t touch on a solution for second base, assuming the Yankees want to acquire someone from outside the organization to take Gleyber Torres’ place. What’s clear is that regardless of the outcome of Soto’s free agency, the Bombers’ offseason is far from over.
