The New York Yankees are gearing up for an aggressive offseason, with plans to outbid the competition for superstar Juan Soto. As the wealthiest franchise in baseball, the Yankees are well-positioned to offer whatever it takes to secure Soto’s long-term future. However, keeping the star outfielder isn’t a foregone conclusion, as big-market rivals like the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox are also vying for his services.
If the Yankees are unable to retain Soto, they have a contingency plan in place. According to Jon Heyman of the *New York Post*, they’ve expressed interest in Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander. Writing for *Bleacher Report*, Zachary D. Rymer noted that Santander would be an excellent fit for Yankee Stadium, thanks to his ability to drive the ball to right field as a switch-hitter. However, Heyman emphasized that Santander is merely a fallback option for the Yankees if Soto signs elsewhere. This creates a potential risk for both the Yankees and Mets, as Santander might agree to a deal before Soto’s market is resolved.
Santander, who has spent eight seasons with Baltimore, has posted a career .246 batting average with 316 extra-base hits, including 155 home runs, 435 RBIs, and a .776 OPS. The 30-year-old’s projected market value is approximately $97 million over five years, or just over $19 million annually, according to Spotrac.
The competition for Soto is expected to be fierce, with Mets owner Steve Cohen reportedly ready to spend whatever it takes to land the 2019 World Series champion. If the Yankees miss out on Soto, Santander could be their top alternative—if he remains available.
Leave a Reply