The Yankees are looking for Juan Soto to provide a major spark to their lineup after missing the playoffs in 2023.
Kevin M. Cox | AP file photo
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The Bronx Bombers pulled off a blockbuster trade for the 25-year-old superstar and Trent Grisham late Wednesday night. Doing so took a ton of pitching, as the Yankees sent right-handers Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito and Randy Vásquez, along with catcher Kyle Higashioka, to the Padres.
The Yankees paid a large price for Soto, a one-year rental, but this is a player who can change the dynamic of an offense that was historically bad last season.
“He’s as good of an offensive player as there is. He’s a machine offensively,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before the trade. “Has accomplished a ton already at a young age. Durable, has been a central figure on a world championship team. Comes with a lot of fanfare and has been one of the rock-solid performers in our sport on the offensive side of the ball year in and year out.”
Soto’s arrival also shifts the narrative for a team that missed the playoffs in 2023 while its leadership came under fire.
Facing immense public pressure, Brian Cashman acted like the commander of a “fully operational Death Star” by acquiring Soto. “The Evil Empire is back,” fans, disillusioned by previous half-measures, declared on social media.
But all indications suggest that the Yankees won’t stop with Soto, who is projected to make $33 million this winter in his final year of arbitration.
So, what’s next for New York? Start with the man from Japan.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Cashman spoke rather openly about Yamamoto during his media availability at the Winter Meetings, which isn’t exactly the norm for the Yankees general manager when discussing players not employed by his team.
The Yankees plan on meeting with the international ace next week, according to multiple reports. Cashman signaled that a full-court press has been underway for quite some time, as he noted that the Yankees had a representative at all of Yamamoto’s games last season.
Cashman himself visited the outgoing Orix Buffaloe in September and was treated to a no-hitter. The GM said that he wanted to personally see Yamamoto in order to “pay respects” ahead of the pitcher’s competitive sweepstakes.
“A lot of teams went over there with their executives, and I certainly wasn’t going to make the mistake of not being one of the executives that went over there, too,” Cashman said. “I think all of it plays a part. It’s not just going to be — like any effort, the contract negotiation is certainly an important part of it, but I also think those types of personal touches are important. I’d rather put our best foot forward in every way, and not just, ‘Here’s what our offer is’ and leave it like that.”
The Yankees also didn’t assign the No. 18 to anyone last season. In Japan, it is custom for aces to wear that number. Many who have made the transition to the States have brought that tradition with them.
The Yankees won’t be alone in their pursuit of Yamamoto, who should easily crack $200 million in earnings after a decorated career in Japan. Expect the Mets to also be among the righty’s serious suitors.
“I don’t know if anybody can compete with Steve Cohen,” Cashman said of the Mets owner, but he sounded confident in the Yankees’ ability to lure Yamamoto. Cashman also hinted at former Japanese Yankees like Hideki Matsui and Masahiro Tanaka helping the team’s cause.
Securing Yamamoto would take some of the sting out of losing King, but it’s no guarantee that the Yankees make that second splash.
Other pitchers
Should YamaSoto not come to fruition, the Yankees have some options.
There have been rumblings regarding interest in reuniting with Jordan Montgomery. Meanwhile, Cashman and agent Scott Boras said that the Yankees have expressed interest in re-signing trade bust Frankie Montas. Boras added that the pitcher is fully healthy and in high demand.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Yankees pursue trades for former Cy Young winners Corbin Burnes or Shane Bieber, though a source indicated that the team has not seriously discussed the Cleveland righty yet.
Cashman also said that the Yankees have looked at other Japanese pitchers on the market, as Shota Imanaga and Naoyuki Uwasawa are among those available. And while the team dealt Thorpe, the Yankees still have well-regarded prospects and rotation depth in Will Warren, Clayton Beeter and Chase Hampton.
As for the bullpen, the Yankees have already made two minor moves, signing Yerry De Los Santos and Dennis Santana. More significant options could be on the way.
Cashman has been in contact with Wandy Peralta’s reps, and there is interest in a reunion. The Athletic reported that the Yankees are interested in Jordan Hicks, while MLB Network’s Jon Morosi tied the team to Robert Stephenson.
And despite losing a ton of pitchers between the Soto trade and the Rule 5 Draft, the Yankees still have some pitching depth and knack for finding bullpen bargains. Scott Effross, Luis Gil and Ron Marinaccio are among the incumbents who could make an impact in 2023 after not pitching or struggling last season, and there’s some other internal candidates at the upper levels of the minor leagues.
“It could go a bunch of different ways,” Matt Blake told the New York Daily News. “Obviously, there’s still a lot of time in the offseason to add externally.”
Recouping resources
The Yankees could also add pitching, whether it be starters or relievers, via trades.
They still have some major league-ready chips to deal if they wish, including Gleyber Torres, Oswald Peraza and Everson Pereira. Trading Torres would clear some payroll, as he is projected to make over $15 million in his final year of arbitration.
While Cashman said that he’s keeping an open mind on Torres, he added, “I think he’s one of the better second basemen in the game. I think he has a chance to really help us. But he’s also been someone that teams have asked us about the last two years.
“He’s here because we believe in him and felt like it was our best move to have him. He’s entering his free agent walk year. I know he loves it here. So I would expect he’s gonna have a big season. We need him to have a big season.”
And even after trading Higashioka, the Yankees have five catchers on their 40-man roster. That’s still too many.
“We have a lot of catching and that’s an area of weakness within the game,” Cashman said. “I’ve had many phone calls… from other clubs about trying to tap into our depth.”