With the Winter Meetings set to start in Dallas on Sunday, the baseball world is fixated on Juan Soto’s free agency.
The Yankees have made retaining the 26-year-old their top priority after Soto enjoyed a career year in the Bronx in 2024, but the Mets, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Dodgers have also been pursuing the supernova. Earlier this week, Scott Boras, Soto’s agent, said that the right fielder had “begun the process of eliminating teams” as they anticipate a contract that will exceed a decade in length and $600 million in earnings.
With a timetable for Soto’s final decision still up in the air — he’s expected to choose by the end of the meetings next Thursday but could rule before they even begin — the Yankees remain in contention.
With the Yankees and others waiting on Soto, MLB’s Hot Stove hasn’t provided much heat so far this winter. However, the Bombers have other positions that need addressing, including first base, second or third base — Jazz Chisholm Jr. can play either position and center — and left field. The Yanks could pursue an additional outfielder if Soto leaves, and owner Hal Steinbrenner has asked for a “deep dive” on a pitching staff that has a crowded rotation and holes in its bullpen.
With all that in mind, here’s a Yankees primer to get you ready for the Winter Meetings.
IN-HOUSE FREE AGENTS
While Soto is the Yankees’ top target, he’s not their only in-house free agent. The list also includes Gleyber Torres, Anthony Rizzo, Alex Verdugo. Clay Holmes, Tim Hill, Tommy Kahnle, Jonathan Loáisiga, Tim Mayza, Jon Berti and Lou Trivino.
The YES Network’s Jack Curry recently reported that the Yankees have no plans to reunite with Torres and Rizzo despite their openings in the infield. Torres improved at the plate in the second half of 2024 after a disastrous start, but the Yankees are ready to move on from his frequent mistakes in the field and on the bases. Rizzo, meanwhile, endured unproductive, injury-riddled seasons the past two years.
The Yankees have expressed interest in re-signing two relievers, Hill and Kahnle. The duo shares that interest. Meanwhile, some teams have expressed interest in Holmes as a starter after he was booted from the Yankees’ closing role last season.
INTERNAL TRADE CHIPS
The Yankees may look to trade a few veterans this winter in an effort to shed some salary, especially if they land Soto. Such players include Marcus Stroman ($18.5 million salary in 2025 plus an equal vesting option for 2026), Nestor Cortes (projected $7.7 million), Trent Grisham ($5 million) and Jose Trevino (projected $3.4 million).
On the younger side, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Oswald Peraza, Will Warren, Yoendrys Gómez, Clayton Beeter, Ben Rice, Jorbit Vivas, Everson Pereira and Spencer Jones, among others, mentioned in trade talks.
EXTERNAL TARGETS
How the Yankees fill out their roster — and spend their money — will depend on Soto.
With the slugger looming over just about everything, we’ll just highlight some other names the Yankees could target in free agency and trades. In right field, alternatives include Anthony Santander and Teoscar Hernández, though the team might be better off moving Aaron Judge back to right and trading for the Cubs’ Cody Bellinger, who can play center.
Or, if the Yankees want Jasson Domínguez in center after a shoddy audition in left, Bellinger can play first base. Other first base options include Christian Walker, Carlos Santana and Paul Goldschmidt in free agency and Yandy Díaz, Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Naylor via trade. Longtime Met Pete Alonso is also a free agent, but the Yankees would be sacrificing defense for power while paying a lot of money.
Alex Bregman and Willy Adames are free agent options at third if the Yankees want to move Chisholm. The Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado is also available, but his best years appear to be behind him.
On the mound, the Yankees reportedly had recent meetings with Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, the best remaining starters on the market. Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler are also available, and the Yankees are expected to court Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki once he’s officially posted. White Sox ace Garrett Crochet is the top starter on the trade block, but he’ll require a hefty return that Yankees may not be able to meet.
In the bullpen, the Yankees don’t typically spend big on relievers, but that could change if Soto bolts. Top free agent options include Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez. As for trades, Devin Williams and Ryan Helsley are names to watch.
A PROSPECT TO KNOW
While the Yankees have an opening at second base, don’t look for them to spend big on the position. The team has raved about Caleb Durbin, a prospect with strong contact skills and a low strikeout rate throughout his young career. The 24-year-old, fresh off a standout performance in the Arizona Fall League, has supporters on the Yankees’ big league coaching staff and in the front office.
Even if Durbin doesn’t win the starting job, the Yankees could move Chisholm back to third and find a new man for the hot corner. However, Aaron Boone said he expects Durbin to play “a big role” in 2025.
RULE 5 DRAFT
A few events take place at the Winter Meetings, including the announcement of the Hall of Fame’s Classic Baseball Era Committee results (Dec. 8), the MLB Draft Lottery (Dec. 10) and the Rule 5 Draft (Dec. 11).
Teams have pillaged the Yankees’ system for pitchers in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft in recent years. Just last year, the club lost three arms. This year, look for right-hander Zach Messinger to get scooped up early in the draft.