In post-Soto world, all options now available for Yankees

DALLAS -- Brian Cashman got back to work Monday as the Yankees’ general manager tries to navigate his next moves following Juan Soto's decision to sign with the crosstown rival Mets.

With Soto's decision made, Cashman turned his attention to the free-agent class and players potentially on the trade market as he looks to make the necessary moves that will help the Yankees return to the World Series.

Could the Yankees sign Alex Bregman, Max Fried and/or Christian Walker? What about a trade for Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger or Nolan Arenado? All options are now on the table for the Yankees in this new post-Soto world.

“Soto was unique; a one-of-one,” Cashman said. “Now we're back into the reality of this player pool, trying to find the comfortable matches -- and it's not easy to find matches with comfort in free agency. Typically, you have to get out of your comfort zone. At the same time, we’re not going to be drunken sailors. … Hopefully we’ll run into some things that can benefit us.”

• Open for business: Yankees put 'Plan B' into effect

The hole created in right field won’t be difficult for the Yankees to fill. The most likely scenario will be for Aaron Judge to move back to the position, opening center field for top prospect Jasson Domínguez to take over the position.

Left field is another area of need, though sources say the Yankees could look to acquire Bellinger in a trade with the Cubs, plugging him into that position. One more name to watch: Tucker. The three-time Astros All-Star is a potential trade candidate, and sources say the Yankees could be among the teams trying to acquire him.

However, acquiring Tucker -- who will be a free agent at the end of the 2025 season -- could be a dangerous proposition for the Yankees, who traded for Soto in the same situation last winter, then watched him leave for the Mets this week. Giving up a premium package of young players for what could amount to a one-year rental would be a risky proposition, though New York could always ask the league for a 72-hour window to discuss an extension with Tucker prior to completing a deal.

The Yankees are in need of an infielder, either at second or third base, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. -- who Cashman said will remain in the infield in 2025 -- capable of filling either spot depending on who they bring in.

One possibility is Bregman, the best infielder left on the free-agent market, in whom the Yankees are said to have interest. A source said that while the Yankees’ fan base -- and some of their players and executives -- have been critical in the past of Astros players who were involved in the 2017 sign-stealing scandal, that would not stop the Yankees from pursuing Bregman if they felt he was the right addition for the roster.

Another trade candidate is Arenado, though the eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove Award winner has a full no-trade clause in his deal with the Cardinals, which still has three years and $74 million remaining. The Yankees are also said to be interested in Walker to fill the hole at first-base, though Pete Alonso doesn’t appear to be on their radar.

On the pitching side, New York is expected to be active in both the rotation and bullpen markets. Fried is believed to be atop their wish list, per sources, while Tanner Scott could be their top bullpen target.

“What's the next opportunity?” Cashman said. “We have a lot of different areas to fix on this team; we have vacancies from free agency, so we're exploring trades as well as free agents, comparing that to our internal options that we could promote. Those are the decisions we have to make.”

Pitching on the move?

Corbin Burnes and Fried headline a group of impressive pitchers still available in free agency, but a number of trade candidates have emerged that could shake up the starting pitching market in the coming days and weeks.

It has been assumed that the White Sox will trade Garrett Crochet this winter, and while several teams continue to engage Chicago about the left-hander, there are suddenly more arms becoming available, presenting suitors with other alternatives.

• Latest Crochet rumors

The White Sox have received a number of hits on Crochet from clubs including the Brewers, Reds, Yankees and Mets, and while a trade is possible prior to the end of the Winter Meetings, a source indicated Monday that nothing was close.

“I’m not sure they really want to make a deal,” one rival executive said of the White Sox, noting Chicago’s asking price for Crochet. “There seems to be more and more pitching on the trade market that teams are motivated to move at this point.”

According to sources, those pitchers potentially available include Seattle’s Luis Castillo, Miami’s Jesús Luzardo, San Diego’s Dylan Cease, Houston’s Framber Valdez and St. Louis’ Sonny Gray. Of that group, Gray is the only one with a full no-trade clause in his contract.

Castillo is signed for $68.25 million over the next three years, with a vesting option for 2028 if he throws 180 innings during the 2027 season. The Mariners are loaded with starting pitching and need a bat, making Castillo a logical contract to move to acquire an impact hitter.

Gray is set to make $25 million in 2025 and $35 million in 2026, with a $30 million club option for 2026.

Cease and Valdez are arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter, set to become free agents next offseason. Like Crochet, Luzardo is under club control for two more years before becoming a free agent.

South Side story

While Crochet is among the most popular trade targets in the league, the White Sox have received significant interest in Luis Robert Jr., who has one year and $15 million remaining on his contract, plus $20 million club options for both the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

• What might Sox stich together for Crochet, Robert?

Robert had his breakout season in 2023, hitting 38 home runs with 80 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and an .857 OPS in 145 games. He took a step backward in 2024, hitting 14 home runs with 35 RBIs, 23 steals and a .657 OPS in 100 games, but despite Robert’s struggles last season, a source said Chicago only plans to move the outfielder if they believe they’re getting full market value for him.