SportsRantNY was inexplicably left off the guest list for the New York Yankees 2025 strategy sessions. IF we had received a proper invitation, here’s what we would’ve been willing to slam our fist on the table for, starting with the obvious.
PLAN A – SIGN JUAN SOTO
Going into most negotiations, the buyer has a max limit of what they are willing to spend. We said a few weeks ago that when the Yankees acquired Soto they had to know that his unique free agency would lead to a deal that could approach $600m. That was before Soto passed every test in his pinstripe audition.
Soto produced great numbers, his at-bats were must-see TV, his focus and intensity was contagious, he connected with fans, he was loved by his teammates, he said the right things to the media, he bonded with Aaron Judge, and he helped the Yankees win 94 games and advance to the World Series a year after not making the playoffs for just the 5th time in 30 years.
At his age (26), with his resume (statistics that compare with Ted Williams), his agent (Scott Boras), the number of major market teams interested (reportedly 6), and the way he handled New York (seamlessly), it’s silly to think that he is not going to want to be the highest paid player in baseball even though he doesn’t pitch like Shohei Ohtani.
Soto is one of a kind, and after betting on himself in 2022 by turning down $440m, he’s earned the right to try and eclipse Ohtani’s contract. IF that’s what it takes to sign him, the Yankees should not hesitate as he is the perfect fit, and there’s no reasonable Plan B unless you want to start overpaying for the next level of free agents (Willy Adames, Alex Bregman, Anthony Santander, Teoscar Hernandez). That’s exactly what they did in 2013 when they lost Robinson Cano to the Seattle Mariners and immediately countered by signing injury-prone, singles hitter Jacoby Ellsbury to a 7-year, $153m deal. Ellsbury managed to play only 520 games for the Yankees and finished his career on the injured list.
Yes, the money is crazy, and maybe the Yankees can get Soto for less because the Red Sox and Mets are bluffing about opening up their vaults. But when push comes to shove, Hal Steinbrenner should be willing to go as high as 15 years and $750m to keep Soto in The Bronx.
THE MARTIAN COMPLETES THE OUTFIELD
Jasson Dominquez should come into spring training as the Yankees centerfielder, moving Aaron Judge to left. Dominquez was a defensive liability down the stretch playing LF, but scouts have graded him a plus defender in the minors, where he mainly played CF. He’ll benefit from having Judge covering the cavernous LF at Yankee Stadium, and Judge should benefit from less wear and tear.
Trent Grisham, who was acquired in the Juan Soto trade, did not play in the post-season, yet the Yankees avoided arbitration by giving him a 1 year, $5m contract. It’s perplexing because seemingly this was a spot where the Yankees could’ve saved money, though the Yankees brass must value the former Golden Glover as insurance in case the Martian is still not ready.
KEEP JAZZ CHISHOLM, JR AT 3B
Currently, the Yankees have openings at 1B and 2B with the departures of Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres. Despite conjecture that they might move Jazz Chisholm, Jr. back to 2B, we feel that he should remain at 3B for a few reasons.
First, the Yankees have multiple internal options for 2B including DJ LeMahieu (who’s decline no longer profiles as a corner infielder), Oswaldo Cabrera (who is probably better suited for his current utility role), long-time prospect Oswald Peraza (who can field, but still has to prove he can hit at the MLB level), Jorbit Vivas (acquired last winter from the Los Angeles Dodgers) and rising prospect Caleb Durbin (a contact hitter with good speed that was recently named the Arizona Fall League’s Breakout Prospect of the Year).
Plus, Chisholm hits for power on a reasonable $6.77m contract and has shown that he can handle the physical side of playing 3B. His issues were mental mistakes and positioning which he can work on by playing 3B all spring.
SIGN CHRISTIAN WALKER TO COMPLETE THE INFIELD
Christian Walker is a late bloomer having had his breakout season at the age of 28 for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019. He’ll be 35 in 2025; therefore, we suggest no more than a 3-year deal, but he would be the perfect first basemen to lead a young infield. Walker just won his third consecutive gold glove award and has averaged more than 30 homers per year in that span.
WORK AROUND THE EDGES ON THE ROTATION
The two no-brainers are signing Roki Sasaki if he doesn’t go, as expected, to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The second is trade Marcus Stroman if you can find a taker for his $18.5m salary. Neither of those scenarios are likely, so we would suggest sticking with the 2024 starting rotation, and then add a veteran in February on a one-year deal for depth.
SPEND ON THE BULLPEN
After a long line of big-name closers starting with Sparky Lyle and Rich Gossage, through the Mariano Rivera years and most recently with Aroldis Chapman and Zack Britton, the Yankees have recently used smoke and mirrors to build their bullpen. It’s worked to an extent, but while many still have nightmares about the 5th inning in Game 5, blowing the lead in Game 1 and then losing in extra innings is what turned the series around.
Luke Weaver was a great story in 2024, and he is a lock to hold down one of the spots, but the Yankees should go big-game hunting to replace Clay Holmes and Tommy Kahnle.
First, go after the biggest free agent closer on the market, 30-year-old left-hander Tanner Scott who is coming off back-to-back stellar seasons. Next, they should send a few legitimate prospects to the franchise formerly known as the Oakland Athletics for 26-year-old right-hander Mason Miller.
YOUR 2025 NEW YORK YANKEES
Bold = New Acquisition
CATCHER (2)
Austin Wells C
Jose Trevino C
INFIELD (6)
Christian Walker 1B
Caleb Durbin 2B
Anthony Volpe SS
Jazz Chisholm 3B
Oswaldo Cabrera Utility
DJ LeMahieu Utility
OUTFIELD (5)
Aaron Judge LF
Jason Dominguez CF
Juan Soto RF
Trent Grisham OF
Giancarlo Stanton DH
ROTATION (6)
Gerrit Cole RHP
Carlos Rodon LHP
Clarke Schmidt RHP
Luis Gil RHP
Nestor Cortes LHP
Marcus Stroman RHP
BULLPEN (7)
Mason Miller RHP
Tanner Scott LHP
Luke Weaver RHP
Mark Leiter, Jr RHP
Ian Hamilton RHP
Jake Cousins RHP
Tim Hill LHP
