The 2024 MLB Winter Meetings begin in Dallas, and there is still so much the Yankees need to do to improve their roster before the 2025 season.
So far, the Yanks haven’t made a major move. They have allowed veterans to enjoy themselves Anthony Rizzo And Gleyber Torres apparently walking, and abandoning their ongoing negotiations for an extension with ace Gerrit Koolall eyes were focused Juan Soto until its decision on the eve of the meetings.
Soto had his best season as a Major Leaguer in The Bronx, but after helping the Yankees reach their first World Series since 2009, the left-handed slugger explored free agency for the first time and was handsomely rewarded by the local rivals.
Brian Cashman has his work cut out for him. But New York can make a lot of progress during the Winter Meetings.
Here’s what the team needs to tackle…
The consequences of Juan Soto
The No. 1 priority for the Yankees was Soto. Now that he’s leaving The Bronx for Queens, the Yankees have their work cut out for them.
After losing the superstar, the Yanks must start their offseason at the Winter Meetings before the best players leave the board. And the Yanks have the resources to pick up some valuable free agents for their outfield, rotation, bullpen and infield.
While many free agents love bats Christian Walker, Pete Alonso And Teoscar Hernández were waiting for Soto to sign, they can start moving quickly now that the left-handed slugger is putting pen to paper.
Many key pieces have not been retained, and there are many question marks surrounding this selection and what Cashman will do to meet those needs.
Add another upper arm
The rotation needs some adjustment. Cole is their ace, but there aren’t many other names the Yankees can rely on.
Carlos Rodonsigned as the team’s No. 2 starter before the 2023 season, has not lived up to his contract or that designation. Rodon had a nice rebound season in 2024, where he had a 3.96 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. While these stats are good for a 162-game season, his performance in the postseason left a lot to be desired.
The left-hander allowed 11 runs in 17.2 innings across four starts, including three home runs in Game 2 of the World Series.
The Yanks need another arm they can rely 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 legitimate No. 2 option – especially if it’s Burnes – who can pair with Rodon and combine Nestor Cortes, Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil And Marcus Stromanand can make them very formidable.
The Yankees were in talks Blake Snell before the two-time Cy Young winner signed with the Dodgers, and has already laid the groundwork for the possible addition of Fried or Burnes. The surprising Luis Severino contract with the Athletics could be a key in getting a bargain. With Severino getting a three-year, $67 million deal, what will Burnes and Fried get?
Explore trading options
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 fill a hole or two.
The team is already linked Cody Bellinger of the Cubs, and he seems like a perfect fit for this team. He is a left-handed slugger and can play either the outfield or first base. Since Rizzo is unlikely to return, Bellinger could come in first. With Soto gone, as the presumed starter Jasson Dominguez struggles, the organization could move the former NL MVP to the outfield.
Maybe the Yankees can make some smaller deals as well. They have starters like Stroman and Cortes, both in the final guaranteed years of their contracts, and could potentially give New York some depth hitters or bullpen help. There is also Oswaldo Cabrera, Trent Grisham, Jose Trevino and others who were able to pick up some interesting pieces.
With the free agent market so volatile, Cashman may have to get creative.
Figuring out the infield
Rizzo and Torres are likely gone, leaving two more holes to fill.
Exploring Bellinger for first base is an option, but the market is level with other candidates like the aforementioned Walker and Alonso. Alex Bregman is the best third baseman, but the Astros have reportedly offered him a deal, so he may not be available for long.
Maybe the Yankees acquire one infielder via free agency/trade or maybe they look internally for the answers. Much has been made of it 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. Jazz Chisholm Jr. to return to its 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 the Arizona Fall League’s Breakout Prospect of the Year in November. Maybe 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, they will need to leave the Winter Meetings with a plan for their infield.
