Jun 23, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Juan Soto (22) is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Washington Nationals at San Diego Padres
(Bronx, NY) – Yankees GM Brian Cashman is opening up after New York was one of the most active teams at the MLB Winter Meetings.
The offseason’s most significant move to date has been the Yankees acquisition of Juan Soto, which does carry some risk – given Soto is scheduled to be a free agent at the conclusion of next season, provided he doesn’t ink a contract extension. Cashman doesn’t sound too worried about that reality: “We understand it’s a possible short term situation. I haven’t had any conversations.”
Cashman also told reporters that the team tried to trade for Soto in and around last year’s trade deadline. As for these most recent negotiations, New York apparently refused to give up Anthony Volpe and Jasson Domínguez – parting ways with four pitchers in the trade.
As for last year, San Diego ultimately decided against trading him then, as they tried to turn their season around – but they did fall short of the playoffs, much like the Yankees.
Soto is one of the league’s most accomplished offensive players, and while his defense isn’t rated as highly, he’s hardly a butcher in the outfield and will help ensure Giancarlo Stanton is a full time DH – when he’s healthy.
Meanwhile, the Yankees outfield is more or less set now that Soto has been brought into the fold – with Aaron Judge likely moving to CF and Soto in RF.
The Yankees other trade this week – albeit with less fanfare – was the acquisition of former Red Sox and Dodgers outfielder Alex Verdugo. The rare Red Sox-Yankees trade brought Verdugo to the Bronx, and he should slot in at LF. Cashman also commented on Verdugo: “He’s a gamer. We think he’s going to make us better.”
