Yankees Have $298M Backup Plan Ready if Juan Soto Bolts, Says Insider - Newsweek

Everything about this winter's Major League Baseball free agency revolves around Juan Soto and where he'll land. The New York Yankees will try to re-sign the left-handed slugger, who could land a $600 million deal. But if Soto signs with a new team, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has already devised a backup plan.

New York acquired Soto from the San Diego Padres last December with hopes he'd help them return to October after missing the postseason in 2023. Although the Yankees fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, it was the first time the Bombers reached the Fall Classic since 2009.

The 26-year-old was a big reason behind everything New York accomplished in 2024. He hit .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs, 109 RBI and 128 runs scored in 713 plate appearances. That production continued in the playoffs, evidenced by a .327/.469/.633 triple slash with four homers, nine RBI and 12 runs scored in 14 games.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand hosted a Reddit AMA on Tuesday. He discussed the Yankees' preferred offseason plan, as well as a backup plan if Soto decides to leave the Bronx.

"I, too, would expect Soto/(Christian)Walker/Reliever (Tanner Scott?) to be Plan A for the Yankees. But if Soto signs elsewhere, that would open up some money to spend for sure," Feinsand said. "I could see the Yankees then going for Walker/(Alex) Bregman/Scott and possibly a starting pitcher, because as Brian Cashman loves to say, you can never have too much pitching. Either way, it's going to be a fascinating offseason for the Yankees as they look to return to the World Series in 2025."

While losing Soto would be tough, acquiring Walker, Bregman and Scott would fill three significant needs for the Yankees' 2025 roster.

Walker would take over at first base in Anthony Rizzo's absence. Signing Bregman to play third base would enable Jazz Chisholm Jr. to move to second base. Scott would fortify the late innings alongside Luke Weaver now that Clay Holmes is a free agent.

This would come at a fraction of the cost, assuming the Yankees want to re-sign Soto and fill other roster needs with above-average players. MLB Trade Rumors is predicting a $182 million contract for Bregman, a $60 million guarantee for Walker and $56 million for Scott. That leaves plenty of money left to add to the pitching staff and fill Soto's spot in right field if he signs elsewhere.

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