With the Winter Conferences set to start out in Dallas on Sunday, the baseball world is fixated on Juan Soto’s free company.
The Yankees have made retaining the 26-year-old their high precedence after Soto loved a profession 12 months within the Bronx in 2024, however the Mets, Pink Sox, Blue Jays and Dodgers have additionally been pursuing the supernova. Earlier this week, Scott Boras, Soto’s agent, stated that the suitable fielder had “begun the process of eliminating teams” as they anticipate a contract that can exceed a decade in size and $600 million in earnings.
With a timetable for Soto’s closing choice nonetheless up within the air — he’s anticipated to decide on by the top of the conferences subsequent Thursday however might rule earlier than they even start — the Yankees stay in competition.
With the Yankees and others ready on Soto, MLB’s Sizzling Range hasn’t offered a lot warmth to this point this winter. Nonetheless, the Bombers produce other positions that want addressing, together with first base, second or third base — Jazz Chisholm Jr. can play both place and middle — and left subject. The Yanks might pursue a further outfielder if Soto leaves, and proprietor Hal Steinbrenner has requested for a “deep dive” on a pitching workers that has a crowded rotation and holes in its bullpen.
With all that in thoughts, right here’s a Yankees primer to get you prepared for the Winter Conferences.
IN-HOUSE FREE AGENTS
Whereas Soto is the Yankees’ high goal, he’s not their solely in-house free agent. The record additionally consists of Gleyber Torres, Anthony Rizzo, Alex Verdugo. Clay Holmes, Tim Hill, Tommy Kahnle, Jonathan Loáisiga, Tim Mayza, Jon Berti and Lou Trivino.
The YES Community’s Jack Curry just lately reported that the Yankees haven’t any plans to reunite with Torres and Rizzo regardless of their openings within the infield. Torres improved on the plate within the second half of 2024 after a disastrous begin, however the Yankees are prepared to maneuver on from his frequent errors within the subject and on the bases. Rizzo, in the meantime, endured unproductive, injury-riddled seasons the previous two years.
The Yankees have expressed curiosity in re-signing two relievers, Hill and Kahnle. The duo shares that curiosity. In the meantime, some groups have expressed curiosity in Holmes as a starter after he was booted from the Yankees’ closing position final season.
INTERNAL TRADE CHIPS
The Yankees could look to commerce a number of veterans this winter in an effort to shed some wage, particularly in the event that they land Soto. Such gamers embody Marcus Stroman ($18.5 million wage in 2025 plus an equal vesting possibility for 2026), Nestor Cortes (projected $7.7 million), Trent Grisham ($5 million) and Jose Trevino (projected $3.4 million).
On the youthful facet, it wouldn’t be stunning to see Oswald Peraza, Will Warren, Yoendrys Gómez, Clayton Beeter, Ben Rice, Jorbit Vivas, Everson Pereira and Spencer Jones, amongst others, talked about in commerce talks.
EXTERNAL TARGETS
How the Yankees fill out their roster — and spend their cash — will rely on Soto.
With the slugger looming over nearly all the pieces, we’ll simply spotlight another names the Yankees might goal in free company and trades. In proper subject, alternate options embody Anthony Santander and Teoscar Hernández, although the staff may be higher off shifting Aaron Choose again to proper and buying and selling for the Cubs’ Cody Bellinger, who can play middle.
Or, if the Yankees need Jasson Domínguez in middle after a shoddy audition in left, Bellinger can play first base. Different first base choices embody Christian Walker, Carlos Santana and Paul Goldschmidt in free company and Yandy Díaz, Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Naylor through commerce. Longtime Met Pete Alonso can also be a free agent, however the Yankees could be sacrificing protection for energy whereas paying some huge cash.
Alex Bregman and Willy Adames are free agent choices at third if the Yankees need to transfer Chisholm. The Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado can also be accessible, however his finest years seem like behind him.
On the mound, the Yankees reportedly had latest conferences with Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, one of the best remaining starters in the marketplace. Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler are additionally accessible, and the Yankees are anticipated to courtroom Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki as soon as he’s formally posted. White Sox ace Garrett Crochet is the highest starter on the commerce block, however he’ll require a hefty return that Yankees could not have the ability to meet.
Within the bullpen, the Yankees don’t usually spend huge on relievers, however that would change if Soto bolts. High free agent choices embody Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez. As for trades, Devin Williams and Ryan Helsley are names to observe.
A PROSPECT TO KNOW
Whereas the Yankees have a gap at second base, don’t search for them to spend huge on the place. The staff has raved about Caleb Durbin, a prospect with sturdy contact abilities and a low strikeout price all through his younger profession. The 24-year-old, recent off a standout efficiency within the Arizona Fall League, has supporters on the Yankees’ huge league teaching workers and within the entrance workplace.
Even when Durbin doesn’t win the beginning job, the Yankees might transfer Chisholm again to 3rd and discover a new man for the new nook. Nonetheless, Aaron Boone stated he expects Durbin to play “a big role” in 2025.
RULE 5 DRAFT
A couple of occasions happen on the Winter Conferences, together with the announcement of the Corridor of Fame’s Basic Baseball Period Committee outcomes (Dec. 8), the MLB Draft Lottery (Dec. 10) and the Rule 5 Draft (Dec. 11).
Groups have pillaged the Yankees’ system for pitchers within the main league portion of the Rule 5 draft in recent times. Simply final 12 months, the membership misplaced three arms. This 12 months, search for right-hander Zach Messinger to get scooped up early within the draft.
Initially Revealed: December 5, 2024 at 12:22 PM EST
