Dynamic Duo: Yankees Eye Pitching, Power Upgrade as Soto Alternative
The New York Yankees have contingency plans in place should they lose superstar slugger Juan Soto in free agency.
Yankees could make power play for ace & All-Star OF to replace Juan Soto
The Yankees have been linked to Baltimore Orioles All-Stars in righty Corbin Burnes and outfielder Anthony Santander this offseason. The Orioles are bracing for either or both to leave in free agency, and New York may be the destination for them both.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Wednesday that New York’s front office has actively checked in on both Orioles performers as well as a short-list of other marquee players, though time will tell what takes shape from their expressed interests.
Corbin Burnes would make the Yankees rotation mentionable as the best in the MLB
Burnes is one of the best pitchers in baseball. The four-time All-Star posted a .625 win percentage, thanks in large part to his clean 2.92 ERA, 1.096 WHIP, and 181 strikeouts in 2024. Thus, he’d be an A-class star for the Yankees to acquire to bolster their already strong rotation. The former 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner would be a quintessential No. 2 option behind 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole and next to top talent like rising star Luis Gil.
Anthony Santander is a quality power hitter for the Yankees to entertain
As for Santander, the talented right fielder has received more outlooks from experts and insiders forecasting in pinstripes for next season. The reigning first-time All-Star notably hit 44 home runs and drove in 102 RBIs for Baltimore behind a .235/.308/.506 slash line and .814 OPS. He is not the same caliber slugger that Soto is from an efficiency standpoint, but he could give the Yankees great power and the ability to advance runners on the bags.
