Yankees’ decision to prioritize could cost them several stars at the end of the season. Juan Soto
Published on SI originally on the New York Yankees | Last updated on 6/8/24
Because of their abundance of skill, the New York Yankees started 2024 with an MLB-best 45-20 record.
However, it is reasonable to assume that after the season, they won’t be able to maintain this precise lineup.
Right now, managing partner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman’s primary priority in the offseason will be re-signing MVP favorite and standout outfielder Juan Soto. They even recently disclosed that they intended to speak with Soto about a contract extension during the season, but as of late, there has been no word on that front. In free agency, Soto, 25, is also expected to land a historic contract, and his agent Scott Boras usually advises his clients to try their luck on the open market.
Re-signing Soto makes sense for the Yankees because in just 64 games, he has slashed.318/.424/.603, driven in 53 RBIs, and hit 17 home runs with a 1.027 OPS. Giancarlo Stanton, a powerful designated hitter, and Aaron Judge, the team captain and fellow superstar outfielder, have both benefited from his encouragement. As Soto and Judge bat first and second in the Yankee lineup, respectively, they have both performed at an MVP caliber, and Stanton, who had a difficult 2023 season, has blasted 15 home runs of his own.
However, Soto will come at a high cost to the Yankees, which means they will probably have to part with some expensive players, including second baseman Gleyber Torres and left fielder Alex Verdugo, who are both free agents this winter.
Verdugo has hit eight home runs, driven in 34 RBIs, and had an OPS of.734, making him a valuable asset in a loaded Yankee lineup. Furthermore, Torres, who had a sluggish start, has improved over the last two weeks, averaging.250 and having a.764 OPS. The 27-year-old Torres has been one of baseball’s top offensive second basemen during his career.
The good news for the Yankees is that they have two long-term possibilities in the outfield beside Soto and Judge, in the form of Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones, who are standout prospects in their farm system and may replace Verdugo.
Regarding Torres, Oswaldo Cabrera, DJ LeMahieu, and Oswald Peraza provide the Yankees with a wealth of possibilities at second base in 2019.
Therefore, keeping Soto will be the organization’s top priority, even though Verdugo and Torres will be valuable players on this potent Yankees club in 2024. They also have exciting young prospects who can fill in for lost veteran talent after this season.
After Soto is dealt with, closer Clay Holmes will also be a free agent, and the Yankees may be willing to re-sign him. If the Yankees can bring back Soto in the early part of the winter, they can also turn their attention to bringing back their great late-inning arm, as the bullpen market usually moves more slowly in free agency.
