The New York Yankees are an annual threat to add some of the biggest names in baseball, whether they’re actually available or not. When you play in the biggest market in sports, while constantly placing high expectations, not only due to having one of the largest payrolls but also such a rich history of winning, that’s just how life goes.
Every year, the Yankees have World Series expectations, but they haven’t played on baseball’s biggest stage since 2009. Last season, the Bronx Bombers missed the playoffs altogether. It was their first year of postseason-less baseball since 2016.
Obviously, that has to change in 2024, but the groundwork gets laid right now, over the offseason.
There are several superstars available, or rumored to be on the trade block, from Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Juan Soto, and more. But are the Yankees actually considered frontrunners for any of the three?
While the first two names mentioned are set for free agency, Soto is not. He’s still under contract with the San Diego Padres and will be eligible for arbitration once again this offseason before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2025. There’s no guarantee Soto gets traded at all, yet until he signs an extension, rumors will continue to mount.
Count ESPN’s Jeff Passan among those who believe Soto will be traded this offseason, and if so, he says the Yankees have a “really good chance” of landing him.
“If you want a payroll at $200 million, as the Padres would like to do for next season, Juan Soto simply can’t be a part of it. And that is why Yankees fans should be excited, because I think they’ve got a really good chance of going out and getting him.”
MLB insider Jeff Passan on Juan Soto’s trade future
With the Padres eyeing a specific trade return should they decide to deal Soto, the Yankees could be in a good position to land the superstar slugger. Rumors suggest San Diego wants MLB-ready starting pitching, which the Yankees have in spades. Whether that’s enough to wet San Diego’s whistle remains to be seen.
Related: San Diego Padres eyeing specific return in Juan Soto trade, 3 contenders emerge for star