On the heels of last night’s blockbuster, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman met with reporters this afternoon. He discussed a handful of topics on where the front office will proceed.
Cashman acknowledged the team has yet to have any conversations with Juan Soto’s camp regarding a long-term extension (relayed by Chris Kirschner of the Athletic). The three-time All-Star is one year from free agency, projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz for a $33MM salary. It seems all but a lock that Soto will choose to test free agency. He declined a $440MM offer from the Nationals during the summer of 2022 and certainly wouldn’t sign for less than that now that he’s within a year of the open market.
The GM conceded “it’s a possible short term situation” with Soto. That didn’t deter the Yankees from making their all-in push to install him into the 2024 lineup alongside Aaron Judge. Between Soto, Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham, they’ve added a trio of outfielders to better balance a lineup that struggled mightily when Judge was on the injured list. The 2022 AL MVP was out between June 4 and July 28 after injuring his right big toe in a collision with the outfield wall at Dodger Stadium.
Judge played regularly from the time of his reinstatement through season’s end. While there wasn’t much doubt about his health status, Cashman confirmed today that the toe problem is fully behind him (via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com).
The Soto return was pitching heavy. Michael King headlined a group that also included Jhony Brito, Randy Vásquez and Double-A prospect Drew Thorpe. After parting with so much of their rotation depth to push that trade over the finish line, Cashman said the team will look to backfill on the pitching staff (passed along by The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty).
There’s no bigger pitching target than Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The NPB ace is scheduled to meet with MLB teams next week. The Yankees are among a handful of teams that are serious suitors for the 25-year-old righty. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com tweets that Yamamoto is the club’s priority at this point.
It seems the rotation is taking a bigger precedence than the bullpen. The Athletic reported last night that the Yankees were showing interest in free agent reliever Jordan Hicks. Feinsand downplays the club’s desire for a notable bullpen strike, however. While he confirms the Yankees like Hicks, he indicates a notable relief acquisition is more of a fallback possibility if Yamamoto signs elsewhere.
“yet to” doesn’t mean “won’t”. It could just mean they’re giving him a bit of time to physically move to New York, mentally adjust, meet the staff, get to know everybody and the organization, etc. and then it’ll be time to discuss “what would it take for Soto to stay here long term?” and that number will certainly be around 12 years/$500M on top of his arbitration salary and year, so a 13 year overall commitment- which might be why Cashman views him as a potential rental, but if they win the World Series with a fully healthy line up this year, it will have been worth it.
Nope. Won’t happen. Get in line. I’m sure once they realize when he’s hitting correctly the ball tends to goto left center not the short porch in right. This was straight out of his mouth many times post game at petco.
I get that he isn’t a pull hitter but he is a lefty power bat and it’d be kinda dumb of any lefty power bat to go “I prefer hitting to the center and possibly flying out, rather than adjusting to pull the ball a bit to the right and probably getting a home run. It’s just not who I am to pull the ball at all, so I’m not gonna do it, even if it would benefit me to do that.” also “get in line” lol? You really think Yankees won’t have first crack at the contract discussions, since they’ll be his most recent team, they’ll be familiar with each other, they’re the Yankees?
I have no illusions about Soto’s loyalties. He isn’t a guy who’s got some team/coast preference, etc. he just wants the most money possible, but that “line” you speak of isn’t very long and if the Yankees wanted to keep him, they’d get to cut right to the front, all the money and years being virtually interchangeable between the various offers.
He’ll goto the highest bidder and I have a feeling the Yankees won’t be it and happy they aren’t
Who do you think it’ll be?
No clue man
Soto can’t just magically change his approach to become a pull hitter…. He literally wouldn’t be the same player and would almost surely be significantly worse. There’s a reason he has an opposite field approach, it directly relates with how much he walks too. It’s not some magical button he can push to just stay elite while also pulling the ball….
It isn’t as black and white as you make it. In fact, most hitters will tell you the same exact thing as Soto. Ronald Acuña Jr. is the exact same way.
Basically, when they are seeing the ball well and in a groove, their tendency is to drive the ball up the middle or to go slightly opposite field.
Also, when a hitter is seeing and hitting the ball extremely well, it isn’t like it is lazy pop ups going to the middle or the opposite way. They’re hitting these balls with authority and high exit velos.
Now, it also isn’t like he isn’t a good enough hitter to be able to pull the ball either. With that being said, selling out to pull the ball tends to lead to more strikeouts and can get hitters into slumps.
Either way, Soto will be just fine in New York, but he isn’t going to see a giant HR increase solely because he’s playing in a park with a Little League right field fence.
He will naturally get ahold of some balls and turn on them, taking advantage of their short RF, but he will be the first to tell you if he tries to sell out to consistently pull the ball, he’s going to struggle.
He’s fine the way he is, with his .420 OBP. He doesn’t need to hit more HRs. More important that he continue to get on base, which will mean the other hitters in the line-up will see better pitchers.
The Yanks aren’t what and who they used to be. There will be a line of potential suitors. Too many Yankee fans are living in the past.
Probably the Mutts right? Smh
No thinking Ohtani isn’t coming to the Yankees, but the Yankees are back, smoke that thru your pipe!
Please comeback on here if Yamamoto signs with Yankees, basically don’t disappear on us.
Yes, you’re right…..that record of making the playoffs and not having a losing record which puts them into contention as compared to other teams certainly isn’t interesting enough to players looking to play on successful teams or interested in making playoff money………us Yankee fans love living in the past……..
That’s exactly what Yastrzemski did in 1967 when he won the Triple Crown. He was a batting champion and runner up in 63 and 65 who had never hit more than 20 home runs. Ted Williams helped him change his approach.
I just think other teams have taken a page out of the Yankees book, which is good. While it’s not all, there are a lot of teams wanting to spend big – again, good.
The last thing you wanna do is change the swing that cost Thorpe, King, Brito, Vasquez, and Higgy. We don’t need Soto to win an MVP. We need him to make consistent contact, get on base, and not strikeout. Same with Verdugo.
@Wrian Washman – You’re spot on correct. You definitely don’t want to mess with Soto, or alter his approach.
The home runs will come naturally. It isn’t like he’s solely an on-base type of hitter who lacks power. Soto can easily hit 30+ HRs while keeping a patient approach, occasionally jumping a first pitch fastball, and working counts.
Honestly, they don’t even need Soto to hit for more power. They really need guys that are going to get on base and extend rallies. They need better “bridge guys” that help the lineup transition from the top to the middle of the order, and to the bottom of the order.
I think they’ve done an excellent job by getting Verdugo and Soto, because these guys help extend innings and help start and maintain rallies.
They had to pay a very steep price, but if they can add Yamamoto and a bullpen piece or two, then the Yankees will be in a great position to make a succeasful playoff run.
I’m not very fond of paying that steep of a price for only one year of Soto, but it will also give them a leg up if he enjoys himself in New York, if they can win, and if Soto has a great season.
Dude’s hit 4 homers in 7 games at YSIII. Don’t think he’ll have a problem there.
Except this management rarely extends players.
They certainly won’t until they see results and even then they most likely won’t.
Red Sox will give him 500 mil. How’s that gonna feel ?
No they wont.
Nah he’d be way too afraid of the Monster, and Boston would eat him up alive. Yes, no chance, he’s just not tough enough.
I don’t know, Boston has a lot of history with defensive indifference in LF. I bet he’d do fine as long as he hit and showed up for work. Honestly they didn’t even like Ted that much and it worked out OK.
laughingduck
Yankees are gonna sign Yamamoto AND extend Soto and they will be back! I’m not a Yankees fan. Just my prediction.
Wow!
With the luxury tax signing Yamamoto should push the payroll to somewhere around 350 million for the Yanks, seems unlikely.
Unlikely why? They’ve said nothing of payroll restrictions this off-season.
Good point, looks as if they’re going all in here.
There is, of course, that other guy across town with bigger pockets.
My guess is Yamamoto is a Met by this time next week.
It is going to be quite a cross city bidding war.
Only for low-IQ people addicted to tabloids and talk radio.
Actions speak louder than words and they are historically as cheap as they can get away with.
I’d love to see Yamamoto but would be just as happy to see peralta, Hader and someone like manaea or or lorenzen. Someone that eats inn’s and 2 lefties in the pen. The Yankees always do great with with lots of options in the pen. We aren’t realistically going all in with Matt krook as our only lefty… nothing against krook he may be great but no proven results
Manaea? Oooof..no way. Actually, since I’m not a Yankee’s fan, I hope they take Manea
What???
Not saying Manaea is a Cy young candidate but someone they can plug in as a 5th starter pitch 5 innings every 5th game occasionally fo longer and hand it over to a loaded bullpen. With Soto, Verdugo and the rest of the lineup they should score runs. Again would love Yamamoto but I’d rather see 2 more better than average lefties in the Pen as opposed to only adding another large pitching contract. If not manaea lorenzen, cleverer wacha type just to eat innings
I would say the Yankees odds of signing him are low When an owner across town with no qualms on spending makes a personal trip to a Japan weeks before anyone else and has a lot more money then anyone else.
Yes.
Yankee Twitter is already buying his shirt, but long shot is probably an understatement.
We’ve already spent big money on 2 SPs, we don’t need another.
yankees = last place
Be specific or it shows you have a lack of understanding about baseball. Last place in what? The division? The AL? The entire league? Distinctions matter.
“Last place” in his heart.
What happens when Jasson is ready to come back?
It depends on how effective Stanton is. If Stanton still can’t hit, RHP in 2024, Jasson plays a good deal of CF and effectively gets Stanton’s batting slot. If Stanton hits well, everyone gets a day off each week until the playoffs.
Verdugo and Trent Grisham are not going to block Jasson Dominguez from getting at bats.
reds= last place
Reds are gonna shock everyone and land Yamamoto lol
I could see it. I would love the reds to do it, but who is coming to the US for the first time and choosing Ohio?
I agree Ohio isn’t great, it’s a medium place lol. It we got shogo and have him a fair shot so who’s to say we can’t entice this guy. We have a fun young energetic team that anyone should love to play for imo.
100% agree. I’d love for the reds to sign this guy. I’m fine with India being traded but all big pitcher talks include marte +. I just resign my thinking to the big name guys are unfortunately looking at bigger markets.
Yamamoto the long term young ace of the equally young rotation they have, plus the all the talent they have in the field?? Reds could be crazy good for like 2 or 3 years before their budget is fudged because they have aren’t staggering young players that much
That’s the only way anyone could choose Ohio
Most Japanese who work for Honda.
Reds are to busy signing their 20th infielder
What is crazy is that currently the Yankees actually have a higher probability of finishing in last place in their division than the Reds. Now, that could change by the Yankees adding Yamamoto and Hicks, but the Reds might also make another addition or two that may move the needle.
That is a simple fact, but that’s also because, other than maybe the Red Sox, they’re in a highly competitive division. It has alot less to do with the fact one team is better than the other. The NL Central is just a weaker division.
Either way, in my opinion, I cannot see either team finishing in last place, because there are simply inferior teams in each division that they’re competing against.
Obviously, one comment is a response from the original ignorant comment, but I’d bet that you’re both incorrect..lol
The issue with Soto will always be head-length. His head is over 2’6” at 25 years old. More than double what it was in his debut at 19. You sign him long-term, and you’re looking at player with a 6’, possibly 7’ cabeza. Thats not good for your team long term. The hat costs alone would bankrupt the pirates.
That explains his poor defense and base running
In two years this dude will be running like attack on titan with his big water-filled head flopping around as he circles the base paths.
Is his head actually growing? And do people actually think he’s dumb?
He’s not smart. His baseball IQ isn’t impressive. Grisham on the other hand off the charts. He’ll hit better in the bronx
I never said anything about his intelligence, just that he’s got a big ole dome-piece. I think it’s within the realm of possibility his head grew between the age of 19 and 25 and at this point his skull has stopped growing.
I dont think you took it as such, but I guess I should clarify that I don’t think he’s on gear.
In summation, this was a joke about how he has an almost cartoonishly large head. Let me have this!
It was hilarious too. My first laugh of the day
How can he? Unless there is another trade or an injury, I don’t see Grisham playing enough to hit better. He’ll likely be a late inning defensive replacement at best unless Verdugo gets flipped somewhere.
Better then he did at Petco not soto sorry
Not if he doesn’t play. Good hitting is all about repetition. Players will not hit well by starting once a week. It just doesn’t work that way 99% of the time.
Not grisham he gets worse
the way the yankees get injured i won’t be surprised if grisham gets 250 at-bats
Hopefully he swings a couple of times during them
One of the best hitters in the game and his “baseball IQ isn’t impressive.” Sure…
@hiflew Grisham will be the Yankees starting CFer as of March 31, 2024.
Verdugo is not the better player, and can’t play CF, so playing him there regularly will cost—and Judge shouldn’t play CF much.
–Verdugo in RF, Judge in CF with a GB pitcher going for the Yankees on occasion.
–A loose platoon with Verdugo tending to get in v. RHP when that allows the Yankees to move Soto or Judge to DH.
–Soto and Judge DH’ing as much as possible.
–Grisham starting against LHP, always. He’s the better hitter of the two v lefties.
And so on.
That’s correct. After watching him play for a season and half it’s very clear
Sounds like a real headcase…
He’s head and head and head and shoulders above the rest.
Clearly you haven’t seen the new big hats.
Now, if his giant dome cannot fit into one of those then he might need to be checked out for a tumor or it is possible he may have a bit of tism going on.
“Rizz’um with the Tism”
-MLB supports autism awareness
Easy summary. If he produces and possibly leads them to a World Series he gets the bag. If he doesn’t, it’s an expensive experiment and rental. Either way Cashman isn’t going anywhere. Just the truth of the matter.
It’s poor GMing to sign a guy for 400-500m just because he had a career year and 25+ other players played well.
Before you think about signing a player who will command so much $, you want to see how he reacts and adjusts to ny… Washington and San Diego are not ny…. Hr yesterday to win a game, 0-4 with an error to lose game today = what have you done for me lately… sorry but you become exempt from that once you win a World Series with us not before
2012 Tigers revisited. 2 starters no bullpen and 3 sluggers. How’d that work out? Same as 2024 Yankees. Not good.
Try again. The one thing they’ve consistently been able to find/develop under Cashman is pitching. They have had one of the top bullpens for years, and they will again this year, and, with Blake, and Hal opening the wallet for a change, they’ll add the starters they need. The question is, will they have enough offense around Judge/Soto.
No bullpen…..do you actually watch or read anything about he team your commenting on……..wow….and as far as pitching, they just had 3 pitchers taken in he Rule 5 draft…..guess the Yankees never develop any pitching other teams want right!
I’m looking for 2 more modest moves. Sign Yamamoto and Ohtani.
That’s good for a 3rd place finish in the AL east.
So realistically, what teams would be lining up to pay Soto next year? Same teams on Ohtani this year? These mega contracts are limited to very few teams.
@aussiegiants53
The Angels, bless them. It would be entirely within Arte Morena’s MO to spend a trouser load on Soto, and ignore everything else.
(see all Albert, Trout & Ohtani)….
Yankees can’t afford Yamamoto
No, they only make over 800 million a year!
The luxury tax penalties would be insane
They still far from the “Cohen Tax”. They can afford Yamamoto.
True. Effectively committing to the top luxury tax tier for the next decade is not what Halhead does.
Reporters asking if they discussed an extension this earlier is just silly. The Yankees will probably talk to him but that’s a not conversation for the day after the trade.
Yamamoto and Ohtani seem to be like Judge at this point, the money is not going to be the #1 factor. These guys are looking at the whole package whatever that is, they will get their money!
Money was the #1 factor for Judge or he would have never got to free agency.
AL East was such a competitive division last year. I think it will finish Toronto, New York, Baltimore, Red Sox, Tampa Bay in 2024.
Time to bring Houdini back to the Bronx for the BP. I actually didn’t want Grisham back in the trade but he could be a cheaper alternative if the Yankees really wanted Keirmeier. Let’s go Cashman trade or DFA Stanton. It’s obvious that Soto and Judge need to play some DH to save their legs. Stanton more than likely will be on the team and Judge will DH more often than not because Stanton will be on DL second week in April for several months
Tampa never finishes on the bottom even when people predict them too. Tampa will be a playoff team again.
Tbh Soto probably gets traded again at the deadline.
San Diego fan here. I’m among the minority that is pretty happy about this whole thing. Everybody has a short memory but I watched every game and I remember the consistent ground balls into a double play at second. I remember the dropped fly balls that probably threw a few games. Every time a fly ball went into left field I held my breath.
I’m sure alot of you will suggest that this is just cope, but I’m frankly pretty happy with the trade. I would have been happy to keep him, but I’m also happy to see him in the AL. Sure, he may have blockbuster seasons ahead of him, but I frankly just don’t believe he is worth the asking price and in our SD forums there was a ton of chatter about just making him a DH that everybody seems to forget now that he’s gone. I don’t think a 33Million dollar a year player should be the liability that Soto is.
I think the Yankee’s know this. They’re smart, they’re the Yankees. They know that they can use him this season for almost no cost to them, then throw him back on the market afterwards, or extend him if he starts performing. They watched every bit of footage of Soto before this trade and they knew exactly what they’re getting. There’s very little risk here for them. For San Diego, there was no real reason to keep him, especially with the financial goals of the 2024 Padres.
Here’s the thing though, and probably why everybody is about to pile on me. I’m in the minority but I don’t think Soto will ever pan out to be what he’s supposed to be. Maybe I’m wrong and he’ll get a Gold Glove in NY and hit 45 HR’s and somebody will rub this comment in my face. But I just think Soto is as good as he’s ever gonna get. No harm to NY though, because they have literally zero risk here in finding out.
I don’t see a GG in his future……but .280/.400 with 40 and 100 is definitely realistic.
On the flip side……King is a great get under the circumstances. He thrived in the starting role but at worst you have a wipe out reliver. Brito throws in the upper 90’s and was great out of the pen. I really like Vasquez’s stuff a lot. Think he could surprise some people. Thorpe won minor league pitcher of the year for ALL of MLB. Was quite a solid haul for a rental…..even one of Soto’s magnitude. All four of those cheap pitchers will help you this year.
Yeah that’s where I’m at with it. There was no way we could afford to keep him and with the rough year he gave us last year is wasn’t feasible to break the bank over it.
On the other hand I’m really excited about King. I haven’t seen him pitch but I’ve heard he’s filthy. If he stays healthy he’s a perfect player for us. The rest of the guys will really prop up our wavering bullpen. Even Higgy will be fun to mess around with.
I do fantasize that the Soto trade was made to allow us to make a play for Snell for a few more years, but I’m losing confidence in that fantasy lol. Who knows, it’s baseball.
Tuff to sign these guys from Japan. Aces there don’t usually transfer over well.