If the New York Yankees don’t sign Juan Soto, they won’t be in a position to mess around.
Owner Hal Steinbrenner will be immediately under fire to add enough high-quality players to make fans believe they have a chance at reaching the World Series for the second straight season.
It’s what the Yankees did the last time they didn’t re-sign a high-profile free agent. When Robinson Cano left for a $240 million deal with the Seattle Mariners in the 2013-2014 offseason, they replaced him with four big names: Masahiro Tanaka, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltrán. It’s likely they would try a similar tact this time around.
Here’s how that could look in regards to a Yankees’ lineup without Soto.
1. Anthony Volpe, SS
2. Cody Bellinger, CF
3. Aaron Judge, RF
4. Austin Wells, C
5. Giancarlo Stanton, DH
6. Jazz Chisholm, 3B
7. Christian Walker, 1B
8. Jasson Domínguez, LF
9. Caleb Durbin/Oswald Peraza, 2B
Why Cody Bellinger
The Chicago Cubs may have been slightly surprised that Bellinger opted into the second year of his three-year, $80 million contract. The deal — signed last offseason — came with player options at the end of each season. At the time, the intentions of Bellinger and his agent, Scott Boras, appeared to be to opt out heading into this winter to retest the market. Didn’t happen.
Instead, Bellinger likely looked at his 109 wRC+ and decided he wasn’t going to get more than the $27.5 million he’s already due for 2025. He’s also set for $25 million in 2026 if he doesn’t opt out after next season.
For the Yankees, trading for Bellinger could be worth the gamble.
At age 29, Bellinger would again be motivated to have a stronger showing to re-enter free agency in search of a long-term deal. Considered a solid center-field defender, his presence could push Judge back to right field, where he’d endure less wear and tear, and it would keep Trent Grisham as the team’s fourth outfielder.
Plus, Bellinger’s lefty swing and above-average pull rate (43 percent in 2024) could result in bigger numbers with Yankee Stadium’s right-field short porch.
Obtaining Bellinger, of course, might not be easy for the Yankees. Sure, taking on Bellinger’s entire salary could be appetizing to the Cubs, who might see better ways to spend the money currently earmarked for him. (Then again, so might the Yankees.) But it’s unclear what else Chicago might want. Maybe they don’t see his current salary as exorbitant. Maybe they would want higher-level prospects in return. Would the Yankees want to part with those for a potential rental player? Especially one that they could have had for nothing but money the year prior?
The Yankees had interest in Bellinger before they traded for Soto last winter, and his father, Clay, played with the Yankees from 1999 to 2001.
Why Christian Walker
The Athletic’s Tim Britton projected a two-year, $44 million deal for the 34-year-old Walker, and if that’s the case, the Yankees should be in on him even if they sign Soto.
For the past three seasons, he’s topped an .800 OPS while averaging 32 homers per 150 games. He’s also won three consecutive Gold Glove awards. He might be the best all-around first baseman available, ahead of the slugging Pete Alonso, who’s three years younger and the better power hitter.
Age should be a bit of a red flag for those interested in Walker, however. While he’s continued to put up stellar numbers, and while he might have less mileage on his legs — he didn’t get regular major-league playing time until age 28 — any mid-30s, multiyear signing could be risky. After all, Anthony Rizzo is 35, and the Yankees declined his 2025 option after two straight down seasons.
What else?
The Yankees could also look into signing Willy Adames to play third base, pushing Chisholm to second base and not putting them in the position to start a rookie there. The Yankees like Durbin’s contact ability, swing decisions and speed — and he’s improved his defense. And Peraza has always had the defensive ability to play in the majors, though the Yankees clearly haven’t believed enough in his bat to give him a full-time chance.
Adames, the sixth-ranked free agent on The Athletic’s Big Board, is projected for a six-year, $150-million contract by Britton. The Yankees, however, might instead look to improve the top end of their starting rotation.
Currently, they have six pitchers for five rotation spots: Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt and Marcus Stroman. Prospects Will Warren and Clayton Beeter could also push for opportunities. The Yankees seem likely to try to trade Stroman, who didn’t crack their playoff rotation and underwhelmed in the second half last year. Stroman is due $18 million next season. Would the Yankees also consider filling one of their holes by moving some of their starting pitching depth?
Of course, spending big on a starting pitcher could be a possibility, too. The Yankees would certainly be interested in Corbin Burnes, the No. 2 free agent on our Big Board projected for a seven-year, $217 million salary.
(Top photo of Cody Bellinger: Rob Tringali / MLB Photos via Getty Images)
