The Yankees will arrive at Sunday's winter meetings knowing priority number Juan.
Juan Soto is expected to make a decision to become a free agent within the next few days, which would be the biggest domino of an offseason that has so far stalled.
The Yankees have been interviewing free agents and making moves around their 40-man roster, but no significant action will be taken until they know whether the roughly $700 million will be spent on one of the most attractive free agents in MLB history. I'm waiting.
The Yankees got a taste of life with Soto for a year. That included a regular season that saw them finish third in AL MVP voting, a memorable October in which Soto was the best player on the field, and a run that ended with them falling short of three wins. of the championship.
All of this happened during Soto's age-25 season, similar to Oswaldo Cabrera and Ben Rice.
If Soto returns to the Bronx, Brian Cashman will be able to celebrate and acknowledge that the risk of trading the walk-year superstar paid off, allowing him to move forward with a roster move on the books with the largest contract in baseball history. Dew.
If Soto chooses the Mets, or the Red Sox, Blue Jays or Dodgers, the Yankees GM will have to pivot quickly and spread out his offseason budget.
The market is largely awaiting the outcome of the Soto sweepstakes, which has so far delivered two nine-figure contracts (Blake Snell of the Dodgers and Willie Adams of the Giants, pending physicals).
There are some interesting elite players, but no one who can match Soto (and no one who can match Soto on contract).
Talks officially began Monday at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, leading to speculation that Soto will make a decision soon in what promises to be an eventful few days for the baseball world.
Other key items to watch for the Yankees this week:
What is Plan B?
If Soto leaves, leaving a seemingly unfillable hole in the club's lineup, the Yankees will be busy.
The Yankees are waiting for one player, but they need many.
The free agency of Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo means the club is without a second baseman (and likely a third baseman if Jazz Chisholm Jr. leaves) and a first baseman.
They want Aaron Judge to patrol a corner spot in the outfield rather than center field, given his defensive range and feet slowed last season.
They could upgrade in a rotation without a true No. 2 and also have needs in the bullpen.
If the $700 million they set aside for Soto doesn't turn into cash, could they rely on a combination of Alex Bregman, Christian Walker, Lane Thomas, and Max Fried?
What about Pete Alonso, Cody Bellinger, and Corbin Burnes?
Of course, such an addition depends on:
How much will my salary increase?
Hal Steinbrenner has repeatedly stated that he does not believe the team needs to spend $300 million to compete for a title.
Last season, the Yankees exceeded the highest luxury tax threshold, exceeding non-Mets payroll costs by about $308 million, according to Spotrac.
After many contracts expired, the 2025 commitment fell below $200 million. This number grows as salaries are added.
But will the Yankees again ignore the luxury tax threshold and end up paying a price Steinbrenner doesn't agree with?
“Salaries year after year similar to this year's and the luxury tax it generates is not sustainable and not viable,” the club's owner said last month. “And that's true for most owners, maybe all owners. … That doesn't mean you can't do what you want to do that year.”
The Yankees may still look to import the big contract and save money elsewhere, which begs the question:
Will roster spots be reserved for children?
Manager Aaron Boone said Caleb Durbin is a “stud,” an up-and-coming infielder added to the 40-man roster.
Jasson Dominguez remains a highly-touted prospect even after an injury-plagued and slow season.
The Yankees' salary would be easier to swallow if they were to acquire a spot-on low-cost but risky prospect who has yet to prove himself on the biggest stage.
If Soto returns, the pair will have a clearer path to consistent playing time, which will make it less likely that there will be ups and downs elsewhere.
Durbin could be used as second or third depending on where Chisholm ends up, while Dominguez is an outfielder who came through the system as a center fielder. Speaking of which:
Do we need a center fielder?
Last season was Judge's worst season defensively, and his midfield defense is unlikely to improve during his 33rd season.
He's a better corner outfielder.
Perhaps the Yankees could push themselves to have Dominguez or Trent Grisham do the bulk of the work at center.
Perhaps they will follow the judges who prefer the middle ground and definitely want to prove the doubters wrong.
But the free agent market, led by Harrison Bader, appears to have a need without a real answer.
Therefore, players like Bellinger and Thomas, who are under contract for next season, could become options.
