The 2024 MLB Winter Meetings are set to begin in Dallas, and there’s still so much the Yankees need to do to try and improve their roster ahead of the 2025 season.
So far, the Yanks have not made key a move. They’ve let veterans like Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres seemingly walk, and aside from their continued negotiations on an extension with ace Gerrit Cole, all eyes have been on Juan Soto.
Soto had his best season as a major leaguer in The Bronx, but after helping the Yankees get to their first World Series since 2009, the left-handed slugger is exploring free agency for the first time. The Yankees are one of five teams still in on the 26-year-old’s services, and while getting a deal done with Soto is at the top of this offseason’s list of moves, there’s plenty more to do.
If we’re being honest, Brian Cashman has his work cut out for him. But New York can make plenty of headway at the Winter meetings.
Here’s what the team needs to address…
The number one priority for the Yankees is Soto. He was the missing piece to their World Series team and is looking to be paid as such.
So far, it looks like it’s going to take a contract north of $600 million, and the Yankees will have to fend off four other teams (Mets, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Dodgers) to get a deal done.
The Yankees have the advantage — if there is any — by being the team Soto already knows and has become comfortable with. The biggest obstacle to the Yanks is likely how far Hal Steinbrenner is willing to go to bring back the superstar. Mets owner Steve Cohen has the ability to outbid any team if he so chooses but is Hal able, or willing, to swim in those waters?
Whenever Soto makes his decision — and the expectation is he’ll pick a team before the start of the Winter Meetings — it will affect the rest of the Yankees’ offseason. If he re-signs, the Yankees will likely have limited payroll to go out and fill other holes. If Soto signs elsewhere, the Yanks will have the means to pick up a number of valuable free agents for their outfield, rotation, bullpen and infield.
Whether the Yanks re-sign Soto or not, they need to get their offseason started at the Winter Meetings before the best players come off the board. While many free agent bats like Christian Walker, Pete Alonso, Willy Adames are waiting for Soto to sign, they can go quickly when the left-handed slugger puts pen to paper.
So, however the Soto negotiations go, the Yankees need to show that they are not done this offseason. Even if they do sign Soto, they need to do more.
Too many key pieces were not retained, and there are a lot of question marks surrounding this roster and what Cashman will do to address those needs. Get ahead of it.
The rotation is in need of some adjusting. Cole is their ace, but there aren’t many other names the Yankees can depend on.
Carlos Rodon, signed as the team’s No. 2 starter before the 2023 season, has not lived up to his contract or that title. Rodon did have a nice bounce back season in 2024 where he had a 3.96 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. While those stats are good for a 162-game season, his performance in the postseason left a lot to be desired.
The southpaw allowed 11 runs in 17.2 innings pitched across four starts, including allowing three home runs in Game 2 of the World Series.
The Yanks need another arm they can depend on in October and there are plenty of options. Corbin Burnes and Max Fried are still available and New York is reportedly in contact with both pitchers. Adding one of those arms would give them a legit No. 2 option — especially if it’s Burnes — who can pair with Rodon and a combination of Nestor Cortes, Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman, can make them very formidable.
It should be noted that adding a top-flight pitcher doesn’t seem predicated on Soto signing. The Yankees were in talks with Blake Snell before the two-time Cy Young winner signed with the Dodgers, and have already laid the groundwork for potentially adding Fried or Burnes. It’s possible the Yankees can add Soto and a rotation piece, but the surprising Luis Severino contract with the Athletics may put a wrench in those plans. With Severino receiving a three-year, $67 million deal, what will Burnes and Fried get?
Cashman is one of the sneakiest GMs when it comes to trades. Just when you least expect it a trade is made. So, with the price of pitchers skyrocketing and salary flexibility an unknown, acquiring talent via trade may be the Yankees’ best bet to filling a hole or two.
The team is already linked to Cody Bellinger of the Cubs, and he seems like a perfect fit for this team. He’s a left-handed slugger and can play outfield and first base. With Rizzo unlikely to return, Bellinger can slide in at first. And if Soto doesn’t re-sign, or if presumptive starter Jasson Dominguez struggles, the organization can move the former NL MVP into the outfield.
Perhaps the Yankees can make some smaller deals as well. They have starters like Stroman and Cortes, both on the final guaranteed years of their contracts, that can possibly get New York some depth hitters or bullpen help. There’s also Oswaldo Cabrera, Trent Grisham, Jose Trevino and others who could fetch some interesting pieces.
With the free agent market so volatile, Cashman may need to get creative.
Rizzo and Torres are likely gone, which leaves two holes to fill.
Exploring Bellinger for first base is an option, but the market is flush with other candidates like the aforementioned Walker and Alonso. For third base, Adames could consider a move to the hot corner and the Yankees are already looking into him. Alex Bregman is the top third baseman, but the Astros reportedly offered him a deal, so he may not be available for long.
Of course, Cashman can spend on a couple of infielders if Soto doesn’t re-sign, but if the Yanks get their outfielder back they will have to try and piece it together. Maybe they bring in one infielder via free agency/trade or perhaps they look internally for the answers. A lot has been made of Caleb Durbin this offseason. The young infielder could potentially compete for the second base job in spring training if they can’t find a third baseman to allow Chisholm to move to his original position.
There’s a reason they added him to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. He was also named Breakout Prospect of the Year in the Arizona Fall League in November. Perhaps he can hone his skills and be a real option and free up some money for the Yankees to spend elsewhere.
However the Yanks do it, they’ll need to come away from the Winter Meetings with a plan for their infield.