The New York Yankees have long been in search of a left-handed power hitter to complement their lineup. Out of all the fields across the United States, the Yankee Stadium is ranked most left-handed hitter-friendly. Yet, the Bronx Bombers lineup comprises an awful number of right-handed hitters.
The same miscue hurt the Yankees’ 2023 MLB season campaign. Thus, heading into the off-season, top-tier left-handed hitting candidates will top the front office’s priority list. Meanwhile, the Bombers can get lucky if the San Diego Padres decide to part with its generational star, Juan Soto. If so happens, the Yanks must drop all plans to acquire Soto first.
Yankees Need Juan Soto To Win Much Awaited World Series Title!
Juan Soto, just 24 years old, is widely regarded as one of the brightest young stars in MLB. With his combination of elite hitting skills, power, and on-base ability, he has already proven himself to be a generational talent. He is coming off a 35 home runs season, which puts him in Aaron Judge’s category. Thus, the New York Yankees will feel tempted to acquire him if the San Diego Padres make him available this off-season. Firstly, the Padres want to lower their payroll by $50 million in 2024, and Soto alone would eat up $33 million in his final year. While both teams have not officially had any conversations, insiders believe it is just a matter of time. Having said that, the pursuit won’t be easy.
For starters, the Padres want to be World Series contenders in 2024, and parting with Juan Soto won’t help that cause. Additionally, scouts claim that even if San Diego were to trade Soto, they would wait until the midseason trade deadline to evaluate where they stand in the league. Besides, putting up a strong exchange offer could be a daunting task. Since the outfielder is arbitration-eligible, he won’t fetch the same amount that the Padres spent while trading him from the Nationals. Still, the Bombers will be required to put at least 2-3 top prospects on the deal. While Jasson Dominguez and Anthony Volpe are off the table, Everson Pereira and Drew Thorpe are most likely to be sacrificed for the generational star. All things considered, the Yanks must keep everything aside to prioritize Juan Soto’s trade this off-season.
Can The Yanks Part Ways With Top Prospects For Juan Soto?
Juan Soto, under no circumstances, will come cheap to the New York Yankees. He alone fills the gap between the two players, and thus, the Padres won’t settle for less. However, the Bronx Bombers will adopt a reasonable approach and keep the likes of Jasson Dominguez, Anthony Volpe, Chase Hampton, and Michael King off the table.
Still, the Yankees have a sea of young talent to offer. Pitchers Randy Vasquez, Jhony Brito, Drew Thorpe, Will Warren, and Clayton Beeter are available. Additionally, outfield prospect Everson Pereira and veteran Anthony Rizzo could also be a part of the deal if the Padres want offensive candidates. Overall, the Yanks must consider making bold moves to acquire a generational star like Juan Soto. He can guarantee a World Series ring in the long run.
