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.

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THE $54 MILLION QUESTION: Will Yankees Land Coveted All-Star in Offseason Coup?

The New York Yankees‘ offseason could go any number of ways, with the primary focus being, of course, star outfielder Juan Soto. But the team is also looking at beefing up its bullpen, adding a new first baseman and, perhaps, reconfiguring the starting rotation.

It’s already a crowded bunch–for now, at least. Ace Gerrit Cole is staying put after a brief flirtation with free agency, and Rookie of the Year Luis Gil has earned a prominent spot in at the top of the rotation. Clarke Schmidt and Carlos Rodon are likely to factor into the mix, too.

Beyond that, the Yankees could make a move on veterans Nestor Cortes and Marcus Stroman, each of whom has been the subject of trade rumors. But they’d only make such a move if an upgrade was in the offing.

And, according to MLB insider Jon Morosi, one upgrade the Yankees have an eye on is a potential bargain, Dodgers starter Walker Buehler.

YANKEES INTERESTED IN BUEHLER
Speaking on the MLB Network this week, Morosi said that the Yankees have interest in Buehler, a free agent who pitched well in the playoffs this year (three starts, four appearances, 3.60 ERA). Buehler threw the final inning of the Dodgers‘ Game 5 World Series clincher over the Yankees last month.

“What an amazing story it would be if Buehler winds up pitching in 2025 where he threw this final pitch of the World Series in 2024,” Morosi said.

“I have been told there is some mutual interest between Walker Buehler and the New York Yankees. While that would be an amazing storyline, certainly it is not unprecedented that you would see someone join the team that they vanquished in the World Series the previous year.”

“We know this—the New York Yankees, with some comings and going in their rotation, they are looking for rotation help.”

YANKEES COULD LAND A BARGAIN
Of course, there is some risk on Buehler–considerable risk. He was an All-Star who went a league-high 33 starts in 2021, with a 16-4 record, but underwent Tommy John surgery the following year and missed all of 2023.

Buehler returned last season, but struggled with a hip issue. He was 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA.

At ESPN, Kiley McDaniel projects Buehler getting a three-year, $54 million contract.

Wrote McDaniel: “Buehler underwent some changes in his return from Tommy John surgery, likely making him more of a finesse No. 3 starter than the power-based ace he was in the past. That said, he started to find himself late in the season and into the playoffs.

“But the Dodgers didn’t offer the qualifying offer. Now Buehler hits the market without the QO attached, but as a potential buy-low candidate for a strong pitching development team.”