Yankees have plenty at stake entering Winter Meetings
Bryan Hoch
@BryanHochThe Yankees stole the show during last year¡¯s Winter Meetings, shaking up the midweek festivities with a blockbuster trade to acquire Juan Soto, a move that directly led to the club¡¯s first World Series appearance in 15 years.
Soto again figures to be at the center of all discussions during this year¡¯s event in Dallas, where the Yankees again hope that they¡¯ll have big news to announce.
The industry is primed for Soto to reveal his decision during the Winter Meetings, if not sooner. The free-agent outfielder has reportedly fielded multiple offers of more than $600 million -- including one from the Bombers, who have made no secret of their strong desire to retain him.
¡°We¡¯ve had meetings with a number of franchises,¡± agent Scott Boras said this week in Los Angeles. ¡°He¡¯s begun the process of eliminating teams and doing things. Juan is a very methodical thinker, so we¡¯ll see, but I don¡¯t think anything is imminent in the near future.¡±
Key Events
- Sunday, Dec. 8: HOF Classic Baseball Era Committee results released
- Tuesday, Dec. 10: MLB Draft Lottery
- Wednesday, Dec. 11: Rule 5 Draft
Club Needs
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has plenty on his shopping list even if Soto returns, but especially if he doesn¡¯t.
In addition to Soto, who would reprise his role as the starting right fielder, the club has vacancies in left field (Alex Verdugo), at second base (Gleyber Torres), first base (Anthony Rizzo) and in the bullpen (Tim Hill, Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle). They¡¯d also like to add a starting pitcher.
Potential Trade Candidates
Cashman always says that he¡¯s ¡°open to anything that makes sense,¡± which serves an invitation to other GMs to pick up the phone or send a text during these Meetings. Over the course of their time together under the same roof, ideas of all sizes are hashed out; most don¡¯t go anywhere, a select few do.
Scanning the 40-man roster, the Yanks have several players who could fuel discussion to varying degrees, a group that includes: Nestor Cortes, Cody Poteet, Marcus Stroman, Will Warren, Jose Trevino, Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza and Trent Grisham.
Prospect to Know
Caleb Durbin enjoyed a buzzy showing in the Arizona Fall League that earned the 24-year-old infielder a spot on the 40-man roster, with manager Aaron Boone recently saying that he expects the speedster to ¡°play a big role for us this upcoming season.¡±
With Torres unlikely to return, Durbin is expected to enter Spring Training competing for the second-base job. He could also be used in a utility role.
Rule 5 Draft
The Yankees stashed Durbin and catcher Jesus Rodriguez on their 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft, but they¡¯ll likely see some talent taken as the Meetings conclude in Dallas. Right-hander Zach Messinger may be their most appealing target, as some scouts envision him fitting into a big league bullpen right now. First baseman T.J. Rumfield, right-hander Bailey Dees and right-hander Cole Ayers could also merit a pick.
Burning Question
Plan A is clearly to run it back with Soto plus more, but what happens if Soto doesn¡¯t return? That¡¯s where things get tricky for the Yankees, though with the team prepared to make Soto their highest-paid player, they¡¯d have the cushion of a fat wallet to fill some of those needs.
In a scenario where Soto is playing elsewhere, nothing would be off the table, including attempts to woo free agents like Corbin Burnes, Willy Adames, Pete Alonso, Anthony Santander and Christian Walker, and potential trades for the Cubs¡¯ Cody Bellinger and/or the Cardinals¡¯ Nolan Arenado.
But the goal can¡¯t just be to spend cash, as the cautionary tale of Robinson Can¨®¡¯s free agency shows. When Can¨® accepted a larger contract from the Mariners ahead of the 2014 season, the Yankees pivoted and used their surplus on three big free agents: Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltr¨¢n. Suffice it to say, they¡¯d like a do-over on that winter.