The New York Yankees are gearing up for a transformative offseason after their unexpected absence from the playoffs, and MLB insider Jon Heyman has shed light on their ambitious plans.
After finishing the season with an 82-80 record, a far cry from their storied history, the Yankees are aiming to make a major comeback. Heyman revealed on MLB Network that the team has set its sights on three prominent players to revamp their roster.
Heyman stated, “They’re in on Juan Soto. They’re in on Cody Bellinger. They’re in on Yoshinobu Yamamoto.” The Yankees’ intentions are clear: they want to secure top-tier talent.
“They’re in on Soto. They’re in on Bellinger. They’re in on Yamamoto.”
– @JonHeyman selects the Yankees as his primary bounce back team for the 2024 season pic.twitter.com/56S0tJ8p1Q
— MLB Now (@MLBNow) November 28, 2023
Cody Bellinger, the 2019 NL MVP, is among the notable free agents available. After a couple of challenging seasons, Bellinger bounced back in style, boasting an impressive batting average of .307, an OBP of .356, and a slugging percentage of .525 in the last season. With 26 home runs and 20 stolen bases to his name, Bellinger’s resurgence makes him an attractive addition to any lineup.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a Japanese pitcher, is another coveted target. Recently posted by his Japanese club, he arrives in the United States with high expectations, carrying the potential to be an immediate ace. Heyman previously mentioned the Yankees as one of several teams aggressively pursuing the 25-year-old pitcher.
On the flip side, Juan Soto, while still under contract for one more season, appears increasingly likely to be traded by the San Diego Padres. The Padres are grappling with financial constraints, and Soto’s departure could help them get below the luxury tax threshold.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal weighed in on the Soto situation, asserting that it’s nearly certain he will be traded. Rosenthal emphasized, “The question is not whether Soto will be traded, the question is which team will acquire him.”
The idea of Soto landing at Yankee Stadium is tantalizing for fans. The left-handed slugger boasts the highest on-base percentage (.421) of any qualified hitter since his MLB debut in 2018 at the age of 19. Despite a slow start last season, Soto rebounded with an impressive 35 home runs and a .930 OPS.
As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on the Yankees and their pursuit of these marquee players, as they seek to reshape their roster and reclaim their spot among baseball’s elite.