The suggestion of losing Juan Soto in free agency is uncomfortable, one that the Yankees would rather not need to tackle, yet wheels are already spinning behind the scenes in case the star outfielder signs elsewhere.
With big-money bidding for Soto underway -- including a cross-country journey that included managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner -- the Yankees patiently await a decision that could come during the upcoming Winter Meetings, which begin on Dec. 9 in Dallas.
They are also preparing to go in a different direction if necessary.“There’s a lot of different players in this marketplace that can positively impact this roster in different ways,” general manager Brian Cashman said recently. “We will be working on every aspect and opportunity, and exploring any way possible to put together the best team we possibly can for 2025. I want to get back to where we just finished, which was the World Series.”
So what could a Plan B look like if Soto does not re-sign? Let’s begin with the financials. Although the Yankees’ offer to Soto is unknown, it’s a safe bet that the club is prepared to make him their highest-paid player in average annual value, surpassing Aaron Judge’s $40 million. (Judge said that he’s OK with that idea, remarking, “It ain’t my money.”)
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