The New York Yankees worst nightmare for this offseason has come true. They have now lost their former superstar right fielder Juan Soto to the New York Mets for a jaw-dropping 15-year deal worth $765 million. The massive signing leaves many to wonder now what plan B is for the Yankees, and who they will go out and get in order to put up a team worthy of making a run back at the Fall Classic. Here’s some names that they could add, both in free agency and in trades.
The biggest holes in this roster come from the corner infield and starting rotation, which should be priorities for the Yankees to fix. On top of that, the center field position as well as the bullpen could use some upgrading. The first move should either come for the rotation or infield, here are some options.
Corbin Burnes [(RHP – 30-years old) FA]
The top starting arm in this free agent class available, Corbin Burnes should be at the top of the Yankees wishlist for this offseason now. In his 2024 season with Baltimore, Burnes earned his fourth straight All Star appearance while posting a 2.92 ERA in 32 starts. He finished fifth in American League Cy Young voting, while posting some of the best fastball velocity and hard-hit rates across all qualified starters. Burnes would be an incredible addition to this Yankees rotation.
Max Fried [(LHP – 30-years old) FA]
Another amazing arm the Yankees could add to their starting rotation is former Braves left hander Max Fried. The two-time All Star hit free agency after the 2024 season where he pitched 174.1 innings in 29 starts, posting a 3.25 ERA. Fried was great at limiting hard exit velocities as well as inducing ground ball contact with a 59.2% ground ball rate.
This would be a great left hander to add to the rotation given Nestor Cortes moves to the bullpen, you’d be pairing a phenomenal lefty with Carlos Rodon. The Yankees have reportedly had productive and great conversations with Fried, and it seems to be between them and Boston.
Roki Sasaki [(RHP – 23-years old) FA]
The final major name amongst starting pitchers for free agents available is Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki. The 23-year old after being posted will be able to essentially choose what team he wants to play for, and the Yankees can be a big player in that. Sasaki possesses incredible upside with amazing stuff for a pitcher his age. With storied Japanese success in the Bronx such as Hideki Matsui and Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankees will make their best possible case to add Sasaki to the rotation.
Cody Bellinger [(CF/1B – 29-years old) Trade]
Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger is a name that has already been tossed around the trade rumors, and the Yankees could certainly benefit from trading for him. For starters, this seems like a great situation for New York having already traded with the Cubs for Mark Leiter Jr., previously this year. A solid package could return not only Bellinger but possibly another strong bat like Nico Hoerner for the infield.
Bellinger was well above league average hitting-wise with a 111 OPS+ in 2024 with Chicago. The attraction of his left handed bat in the Bronx with the short porch is a large one, and if he can channel his success from 2023 he could be a great piece worth trading for the Yankees. If Bellinger can play first base, he can replace D.J. LeMahieu, a growing concern for New York.
Anthony Santander [(RF – 30-years old) FA]
Santander is coming off of a monster season where he earned his first All Star appearance. He hit 44 home runs while recording an .814 OPS for Baltimore in 2024 and has been great at the plate the last three seasons. Although not great in the field, the switch hitter replaces the power that Juan Soto had in 2024, and would be an incredible get for New York.
Teoscar Hernandez [(OF – 32-years old) FA]
Another great outfield option would be Teoscar Hernandez. The 2024 Home Run Derby and World Series Champion can obviously live up to the moment and the bright lights in a big market. The two-time All Star hit for a .272 batting average with 33 home runs and an .840 OPS in 2024 en route to the World Series with the Dodgers. With six years of American League East experience, Hernandez could be a great addition to the Bronx Bombers.
Nico Hoerner [(INF – 27-years old) Trade]
As previously mentioned, Hoerner could be a great way to fill two big gaps with one move. If the Yankees do go after Bellinger, it would make much more sense to add Hoerner to play third or second base. While he hasn’t played third base since 2022, Jazz Chisholm Jr. showed he can man the position down this season, and Aaron Boone could pivot to him at the hot corner again to put Hoerner at second.
A slightly above league average hitter with a 101 OPS+, Hoerner still hit .273 and managed to land in the 99th percentile for strikeout and whiff rate. He recorded 10 outs above average with above average sprint speed as well. A young solid bat, Hoerner would be a great add that would be less pricey than some other options.
Garrett Crochet [(LHP – 25-years old) Trade]
This would take a substantially larger package than any other trade but the upside could be far worth the prospects that are currently in the farm. Crochet’s numbers in 2024 were great with the White Sox, with a 12.9 K/9 rate, and 209 strikeouts to make his first All Star appearance. Crochet is ranked among some of the best starting pitchers in strikeout, whiff, and chase rate, and would undoubtedly be a great arm for years to come in New York at just 25-years old. The only question remaining is if the front office would make the move.
Tanner Scott [(LHP – 30-years old) FA]
The last option for this article comes with arguably the best relief arm on the market. Scott was incredible in 2024, recording a 1.18 ERA in 44 appearances with the Marlins, and a 2.73 ERA in 28 appearances with the Padres. Every one of Scott’s advanced metrics were great as well, making him the complete package for any team in need of a reliable relief pitcher. He was great at limiting hard hit contact and at striking hitters out, and with New York’s pitch coaching he can elevate his game to another level.
Moving forward
The Yankees can look at these options and take that $760 million offer to Soto and disperse it in a more diverse way. The money can put together a championship contender if done right, and after a brutal loss in free agency like this, moves need to be made. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton can only do so much, and while Volpe, Gil, Wells and hopefully even Caleb Durbin look to take steps forward next year, this team needs established stars.