DALLAS ¨C The Yankees were impressed by Max Fried¡¯s mettle during a recent Zoom session with club officials, a lengthy virtual chat that increased their interest in a hurler who projects as a strong fit behind Gerrit Cole atop their rotation.

Fried was the first move in the Yankees¡¯ Plan B pivot after Juan Soto¡¯s decision to switch boroughs from the Bronx to Queens, agreeing late Tuesday to an eight-year, $218 million contract that will be the largest issued to a left-handed pitcher. The contract is pending a physical, with a formal announcement expected in the coming days.

¡°He¡¯s one of the game¡¯s really good pitchers,¡± manager Aaron Boone said on Wednesday, as the Winter Meetings concluded at the Hilton Anatole. ¡°He has a really good track record of success. He¡¯s a special talent.¡±

While Fried¡¯s addition bolsters a rotation that the Yankees already viewed as a strength, general manager Brian Cashman intends to continue improving the roster in the coming weeks. The Yanks have cast a wide net for additional talent, with multiple free agent targets and trade discussions continuing behind the scenes.

Later on Wednesday, the Yankees agreed to bring back right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga on a one-year contract with an option for the 2026 season, sources told MLB.com. The team has not yet confirmed the deal.

¡°It¡¯s about run prevention and run creation,¡± Cashman said. ¡°Our goal is always to try to collect as many of the best, talented baseball players that we can. Pitching is practically half your roster, so there¡¯s always needs there and you can never have enough.¡±

The Yankees presently have at least seven starting pitchers, including Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt, who have drawn trade interest. Cashman said the Yanks will be ¡°open-minded to all possibilities.¡±

Cashman said that they have prepared a presentation for Japanese free agent Roki Sasaki, who is expected to begin meeting with interested teams soon.

¡°[Sasaki is] a big arm with a big desire to be great,¡± Cashman said. ¡°His intent is to be one of the game¡¯s greatest pitchers on the planet. We certainly would love to participate in allowing that to happen.¡±

BIGGEST REMAINING NEEDS

Outfield: Now that Soto has agreed to a record-setting 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets, the Yankees plan to move American League MVP Aaron Judge back to right field, which Cashman said could open a lane for top prospect Jasson Dom¨ªnguez to win playing time in center field. Left field remains open, with Alex Verdugo now a free agent. The Yankees are among the clubs interested in trading for the Astros¡¯ Kyle Tucker and have long been connected to the Cubs¡¯ Cody Bellinger. Teoscar Hern¨¢ndez and Jurickson Profar, both free agents, are also on the radar.

First base: The Yanks did not receive much production from a traditional power position in 2024, something they¡¯ll look to correct in the new year. While rookie Ben Rice would be the leading in-house candidate, their free agent targets include Christian Walker, who turns 34 in March and has a track record of power and Gold Glove defense. At present, they have not been connected to Pete Alonso; Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana are also notable choices on the free agent market.

Third base: While Boone said he would be ¡°more than comfortable¡± going into 2025 with Jazz Chisholm Jr. at the hot corner, the Yanks could also add a more experienced third baseman and shift Chisholm to second base. Alex Bregman, a free agent, boasts an enticing blend of thump and defense. Bregman¡¯s connection to the 2017 Astros would not stop the Yankees from pursuing him, a source told MLB.com. The Cardinals are openly shopping Nolan Arenado, but the veteran has a full no-trade clause and must approve any deal. Arenado¡¯s agent, Joel Wolfe, said on Tuesday that his client is looking for a winning situation.

Bullpen: The Bombers must rebuild a relief crew that shifted on the fly last season, with Clay Holmes now across town hoping to crack the Mets¡¯ rotation and Tim Hill, Tommy Kahnle still free agents following the Lo¨¢isiga deal. Yanks personnel continue to speak highly of Tanner Scott, whom they tried to acquire this past July from the Marlins, when he went instead to the Padres. Luke Weaver could return as the closer, but he could also be moved into a setup role.

RULE 5 DRAFT

The Yankees selected outfielder Luis Durango from the Guardians in the Minor League phase of the 2024 Rule 5 Draft.

Durango, 21, has batted .253 (145-for-574) with 118 runs, 18 doubles, four triples, three homers, 47 RBIs, 68 walks and 87 stolen bases in 181 games over four seasons in the Cleveland organization (2021-24).

Additionally, the Yankees lost five players in the Minor League phase: the Reds selected left-hander Joel Valdez (first round), the Cardinals selected left-hander Oddanier Mosqueda (first round), the Braves selected right-hander Blane Abeyta (first round), the Pirates selected outfielder Joel Mendez (fifth round) and the Phillies selected right-hander Gabriel Barbosa (fifth round).

GM'S BOTTOM LINE

Cashman said that he had no regrets over how the Soto sweepstakes played out, with the Yanks¡¯ final offer standing at $760 million over 16 years, a figure that Cashman said went far beyond their comfort level. While retaining Soto was their top priority going into the winter, they recognized from Day 1 that there was a chance his Yankees tenure might only last a season.

Instead, the club now has a challenge and an opportunity to retool a roster that ended a 15-year World Series appearance drought this past October. Cashman said that managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner has not issued a firm payroll cap for ¡¯25, instead inviting any and all potential acquisitions to be brought to his desk.

¡°We want to improve the team and feel really good about it. I¡¯m not there yet,¡± Cashman said. ¡°There was a lot of waiting that took us up until the Winter Meetings on the Soto decision. Now we¡¯re going to continue doing what we always do. No retreat, no surrender. Just keep laser-focused on the task at hand, which is trying to find the best players you possibly can.¡±