If the New York Yankees lose Juan Soto to free agency, they still have several promising avenues to explore to improve their roster and remain competitive in the 2025 season. Brian Cashman’s goal is to add a powerhouse bat that would complement the lineup anchored by Aaron Judge, who remains a potent offensive force despite his advancing age. Meanwhile, here are three fallback options the Yankees could pursue if Soto heads elsewhere.
Pete Alonso: 1B
One intriguing alternative for the Yankees is Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, a two-time Home Run Derby champion. Alonso has belted 226 home runs since his 2019 debut, second only to Judge in that span. This would give the Yanks a formidable home-run duo. Alonso has not only proven his worth with the bat but has also shown remarkable durability, having missed fewer than 10 games in each of his six MLB seasons.
Adding Alonso would also address the Yankees’ long-standing vacancy at first base, a position that has been difficult to fill consistently since Mark Teixeira’s retirement. Signing Alonso would also allow the Bronx Bombers to acquire a high-impact bat without paying the sky-high premium Soto might demand. Alonso’s impact on the lineup would keep New York competitive while offering financial flexibility to address other needs.
Teoscar Hernandez: OF
Another option is Teoscar Hernandez, coming off a career-best season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he hit .272 with 33 homers and 99 RBIs. Hernandez, a World Series champion, would bring postseason experience and reliability. Over the last four seasons, Hernandez has shown consistent power, notching at least 25 homers and 77 RBIs in each. He hit .288 with runners in scoring position in 2024, and his three home runs and 12 RBIs in the playoffs demonstrated his capacity to perform under pressure.
Hernandez’s addition to the lineup would make for a potent offensive tandem with Judge, keeping the Yankees in the mix for a World Series title in 2025. At 32, Hernandez would provide both experience and prime-level production, balancing out a lineup that already includes several younger players. Though he may not be the MVP candidate that Soto is, Hernandez’s reliability and power make him a strong option for the Yankees’ outfield.
Willy Adames: INF
Willy Adames, the 29-year-old free-agent shortstop, is another option with considerable upside. Adames had a career year with 32 homers and 112 RBIs in 2024. With rumors that he’s willing to shift to third base, Adames could be an ideal fit for the Yankees, especially if they lose Gleyber Torres. This move could enable Jazz Chisholm to shift back to his natural position at second base, with Adames adding both power and versatility on the left side of the infield.
Adames’ presence would also give the Yankees flexibility with young shortstop Anthony Volpe, who has yet to fully develop offensively. Should Volpe struggle, Adames could easily shift to shortstop, providing a seasoned alternative. Adding Adames to the roster, combined with a secondary signing, would give Cashman the option to assemble a lineup that retains a strong core around Judge.
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