ESPN: For the most ridiculous reason of all, New York seemed destined to blow another deal after mishandling the bag with Juan Soto.
For the most ridiculous reason of all, New York seemed destined to blow another deal after mishandling the bag with Juan Soto.
Although it still hurts to lose Juan Soto to the rival New York Mets, the New York Yankees made a strong comeback on Tuesday by signing former Atlanta Braves star Max Fried to a huge eight-year contract. As Gerrit Cole matures into his mid-30s, Fried provides New York with much-needed punch in its starting rotation and a real running companion. Beyond the impact on the field, though, it was heartening to watch the Yankees act like the Yankees once more, snatching the top free agent with such force that they forced him to accept. Perhaps Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner needed a wake-up call, and whiffing on Soto was it.
Or perhaps not. Fried has joined the team, but much more has to be done to prepare New York to compete for a World Series in 2025. It is necessary to rebuild the bullpen. Both first base and second base have holes. Perhaps most obviously, they need to replace Soto with an outfielder, ideally one who can play center so Aaron Judge can go to the right. If the Yankees are willing to deploy their resources, they can accomplish all of those endeavors.
Sadly, it appears from the most recent report from the Winter Meetings that Steinbrenner and Cashman are still occupied with the same old activities.
The Yankees may decide not to trade for Cody Bellinger due to financial constraints.
Even before Soto announced his choice, Cody Bellinger was a target for New York. His left-handed swing appears to be suited for Yankee Stadium’s short porch, and he can play both first base and center field, two areas of necessity. And there aren’t many possibilities, let alone ones that bring Bellinger’s above-average bat, given the scarcity of free agency options.
And fortunately for the Yankees, the Chicago Cubs appear intent on trading him in order to clear up playing time and payroll in the face of an abundance of outfield possibilities. The only thing New York needs to do is remove the money from Jed Hoyer’s possession, but it seems like that’s asking for too much. The $52.5 million Bellinger owes over the next two years has been a big cause of contention, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Yes, $52.5 million for Bellinger’s age-29 and -30 seasons is a touch excessive in a vacuum. But it’s not that bad, and more significantly, these things don’t just happen. Bellinger is the finest boost the Yankees can get to stay competitive. The organization can still add Bellinger’s contract to the Fried deal and not go over the amount it was willing to pay Soto for the upcoming season, but that’s hardly a license to “spend like drunken sailors,” as Cashman put it.
In other words, the funds are available, but New York is refusing to use them. Perhaps Cashman is right when he says that the Cubs are desperate to deal a guy who has few admirers and don’t have much power in this situation. The Yankees may end up gaining some additional freedom if they win the staring battle. However, the longer this continues, the more likely it is that the squad will repeat the same error and die on principle instead of just swallowing its pride and improving.
