The New York Yankees’ inability to sign Juan Soto has left them with a substantial budget to pursue other superstar players, and they have already begun spending. On December 10, they made a splash by signing former Atlanta Braves ace Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract. This move was somewhat unexpected, as the Yankees have more urgent roster needs than their starting rotation.
One key area of concern is first base. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees are exploring options to fill the void, with former Mets first baseman Pete Alonso emerging as a top target. Heyman wrote on December 11, “The Yankees are also considering Alonso or [Christian] Walker. Alonso, beloved in Queens, is also said to have some interest in going to the Yankees if the Mets show serious interest. (The Yankees also might not mind poaching Alonso after their $760M bid to retain superstar Juan Soto was topped by the Mets’ winning offer of $765M.)”
Although replacing Soto’s presence in the lineup with another left-handed power bat, such as Cody Bellinger or Houston Astros standout Kyle Tucker, would be ideal, the addition of Alonso could provide significant value. Alonso, one of the league’s premier power hitters, would strengthen the Yankees’ offense and serve as a formidable alternative to fill the gap left by Soto’s departure.
The Yankees’ offseason remains in full swing, with plenty of time to make impactful moves in free agency or via trades. General Manager Brian Cashman reassured fans on Wednesday by stating, “We’ll get back after it, and find a way to put together a roster that our fans are going to be excited about. We want to defend that American League title and get back to the World Series and try to win it. So we’ll get after it.”
While missing out on Soto is undoubtedly a setback, the Yankees have shown they are committed to building a competitive roster. The signing of Max Fried is an early indication of their aggressive approach, and the pursuit of Alonso signals their intent to address key lineup needs. As the offseason progresses, fans can remain optimistic that the Yankees will make additional moves to bolster their chances of contending for another American League title and, ultimately, a World Series championship.
