Drafting Yankees and the Juan Soto Trade Tree

The New York Yankees acquired star left-handed hitting outfielder Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres in the offseason prior to the 2024 season in a seven-player deal. Coming to the Yankees alongside Soto was fellow outfielder Trent Grisham while the Yankees sent five prospects/players including RHP Michael King, catcher Kyle Higashioka, and arms Jhony Brito, Drew Thorpe and Randy Vasquez. Unlike the Aaron Judge trade tree that showed a flurry of under the rader type moves that led the Bronx Bombers to their current Captain, the New York Yankees can thank their drafting and development teams for the acquisition of #22. 

Looking at the trade package the Yankees gave up, every single player can be linked to the Yankees and their team in charge of the MLB First Year Players Draft. Higashioka was drafted by the Yankees in the seventh round of the 2008 MLB Draft while Thorpe was drafted by New York in the second round of the 2022 Draft. 

The Yankees can also thank their international scouting department for the acquisition of Soto. Brito was signed as an International Free Agent on November 9, 2015, while Vasquez was signed as an IFA three years later in 2018. 

For the Yankees to send King as the centerpiece of the deal, New York can look back at a "won" trade between them and the Miami Marlins on 11/20/17. In that deal, New York sent infielder Garrett Cooper and LHP Caleb Smith for King and $250K in international bonus pool money. 

New York acquired Garrett Cooper from the Milwaukee Brewers just four months prior, sending LHP Tyler Webb to the NL Central. Webb was another product of the Yankees draft and development team, adding the LHP in the tenth round of the 2013 round, four rounds before Smith was drafted in the same round. 

The road to Juan Soto in Pinstripes can be directly linked to the International and Domestic drafting, scouting and development teams employeed by the Yankees under Brian Cashman. There were a few key trades involved, highlighted below, but the pieces came from within. 

The Yankees have been known as the Evil Empire since the early 2000s, but imagine how "Evil" the team could be if they were more willing to dip into the treasure trove of young prospects that continually go through the Yankees system. Soto could stay with the Yankees for one season, or for the remainder of his career, that remains to be seen... but the Yankees farm system and development team will look at this as a victory regardless of the tenure. Juan Soto, for at least one season, wore the Yankees pinstripes and marched the team into the postseason. 

What more could you ask for?

Juan Soto: Dreams Come True...

 

Credit: @Yankees via X

Juan Soto is a Yankee.

The New York Yankees successfully acquired young superstar outfielder Juan Soto; a player coveted by the Yankees fan base for years. 

Despite the acquisition of one of baseball’s brightest young talents, the 2023 Baseball Winter Meetings were largely a bore. I am excited that the Yankees acquired Soto, but the process was tiring. I guess I would have liked it better if we had received a Jeff Passan tweet that simply said, “Yankees acquire Juan Soto”. All the tweets and reports from the various team beat writers saying a deal was close to the finish line was too long and drawn out. After hearing the Yankees and Padres were trying to complete the deal all day on Wednesday, the final day of the Winter Meetings, the official word was finally announced at nearly 11 p.m. Eastern time. 

Wednesday evening there were reports that medical records (review on the San Diego side) were holding up the deal. Then, there were reports the Padres executives were attending a social event. I was not sure what to think, but the reports from the trustworthy beat writers did not express any concern that the deal was falling apart. Finally, Joel Sherman broke the news that the deal was done. Whew! 

I thought the Yankees might give Jack Curry an exclusive to break the news. The Yankees Hot Stove show was scheduled to air at 10:30 p.m. Eastern (around the time the news started breaking about the finalization of the trade). Unfortunately, the Brooklyn Nets postgame show ran over so Yankee fans had to patiently (or rather impatiently) wait through the Nets postgame show to finally hear Jack Curry confirm the Soto trade.

It was a long, difficult road with so many rumors. Granted, much of it was trade posturing. In the days leading up to the trade, it felt like the Padres might wait to see the market develop after Shohei Ohtani signs, thinking the jilted suitors might flip their attention to Soto. Fortunately, it was all smoke. The Yankees had the best offer on the table, and it gave the Padres the pitching and financial relief they needed to make the deal. 

Losing Michael King hurts. I appreciated and valued Michael King, the reliever, and then I got even more excited when he excelled during his brief audition as a starter late last season. I was looking forward to King’s future in the starting rotation. I know he has dealt with his share of injuries in recent years, but I did not want to see him go. Obviously, losing him for Juan Soto is a deal you would make every day of the week, but it does not mean that there cannot be sadness to see King go. I truly wish him the best in San Diego. I was hopeful the Yankees would not lose both King and Drew Thorpe, yet they did. I would have preferred to see Clarke Schmidt accompany Thorpe to the West Coast over King, but it was not meant to be. The Yankees paid a healthy price for Soto and center fielder Trent Grisham…four pitchers…King, Thorpe, Jhony Brito, and Randy Vasquez…along with catcher Kyle Higashioka. I refuse to call it an “overpay” even though the Yankees are guaranteed only one year with Soto. Soto is exactly what the Yankees need, and he is worth the cost regardless of how much it hurts. 

Credit: FriarWire, Official Blog of the San Diego Padres

Higgy leaves as the longest-tenured Yankee. I am proud of his time in the Yankees organization, and I am glad he has been part of the team. I recognized that his salary and age were working against him, and it made him the most likely departee among the multiple catchers on the 40-man roster.  Like Austin Romine before him, there comes a time when the Yankees and a player must part ways. Sadly, for Higgy, the day was December 6, 2023. 

Brito and Vasquez did a good job providing rotation depth last year, but I am hopeful the pitchers remaining in the organization will step up. Will Warren, Chase Hampton, and Clayton Beeter are the pitchers who immediately come to mind. Luis Gil will also be back after distancing himself from Tommy John surgery. Nevertheless, the pitching losses reinforce the need to bolster the pitching staff between now and Spring Training. 

Congratulations to General Manager Brian Cashman and his team for closing the deal to bring the 25-year-old superstar Juan Soto to New York. I was not sure they would do it. After ignoring most elite free agent talent in recent years, it seemed implausible the Yankees would pay for a potential future Hall of Famer with prospects and proven Major League talent when they could have had the best of the best for only cash and passed. I am glad they did.  Soto alone is not enough, but Cashman seems to understand there is more work to do…or at least I hope he does.

Although the Yankees acquired outfielder Alex Verdugo earlier in the week from the Boston Red Sox, I am not convinced the 2024 Opening Day outfield will feature Judge, Soto, and Verdugo. The early speculation has Verdugo in left and Soto in right, pushing Judge to center. Cashman made an interesting comment during today’s press conference he held with beat writers when he said that if the season opened today, Judge would be in center. It leaves open the possibility there may be changes. In other words, there is no guarantee Verdugo will be on the opening-day roster. He could be moved for pitching if the Yankees come up with a better outfield solution that would keep Judge in right. Of course, the question would then become where you put Soto who seems better suited to play right field over left field. 

I had been hopeful the Yankees would sign Cody Bellinger as the second move behind the Soto acquisition. Bellinger, if you believe he found himself last year in Chicago, offers both offense and defense and could cover center field until Jasson Dominguez is ready to return late next season and he could back up Anthony Rizzo at first base. Verdugo is simply a corner outfielder who has not played center field in a few years. He is not known for his defense and is obviously far less versatile than a player like Bellinger.  I think the Bellinger dream is gone, but I am hopeful the Yankees can find the best outfield mix. If it ends up with Soto, Judge, and Verdugo, so be it.  I am glad Trent Grisham is around as the fourth outfielder over the various options we had last year. It seems like Grisham will get plenty of playing time. I certainly like Grisham better than Verdugo even if Verdugo is the better everyday player. I do feel badly for Estevan Florial who will probably never get a genuine opportunity in Pinstripes. As much as I like Everson Pereira, I fully expect his name to be part of any trade acquisitions for pitching. 

Since Manager Aaron Boone stated this week that DJ LeMahieu will be the starting third baseman in 2024, the Yankees have much riding on the health of their older corner infielders.  There has been no speculation about Oswald Peraza, but I did find it odd that Peraza was not even given a chance to compete for the starting role in Spring Training.  Both Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera can still find their way on the 26-man roster as part of the bench strength, yet if Peraza is included in a trade for pitching, it would not surprise me. Peraza and the Miami Marlins make total sense to me.

The Yankees will now turn their attention to Yoshinobu Yamamoto. They plan to meet with the free-agent Japanese pitcher on Monday.  The competition for Yamamoto is steep. The Mets, backed by Steve Cohen’s huge wallet, are interested. If the Dodgers lose out on Shohei Ohtani, they may enter the bidding for Yamamoto if they are not there already. It seems like the Yankees are one of the favorites to sign Yamamoto, but it is far from a certainty, and if the bidding gets excessive (hearing reports of $300 million plus the $46 million posting fee), it does seem like Hal Steinbrenner may tap out.  If the Yankees find Yamamoto too expensive, they might look at a reunion with Jordan Montgomery. I would like to see Gumby return, but I wish it was not predicated on whether they get Yamamoto. I would prefer to see Montgomery return as a stand-alone move.  With the questions surrounding Carlos Rodón and Nestor Cortes, Jr, the rotation needs greater dependability in the other spots behind Gerrit Cole and for depth purposes. If the Yankees do not sign Montgomery, I hope he returns to the Texas Rangers. It would be tough to see him pitch for the Red Sox, Blue Jays, or Orioles.  There is room for Montgomery in the Yankees rotation regardless of whether they sign Yamamoto. 

Given the time the Yankees have spent following Yamamoto in Japan including Brian Cashman’s trip last summer when Yamamoto threw a no-hitter, the Yankees are clearly all-in on the talented righthander.  There is no doubt Yamamoto has felt the Yankees’ presence for a long time which helps. I am glad the team is pulling in Hideki Matsui as part of the recruitment team. Unfortunately, I am less optimistic about Yamamoto than I was with Soto.  I tried hard to temper my excitement for Soto under the belief the Yankees might (would) fall short. It worked out with Soto, however, there are no guarantees with Yamamoto and perhaps more adversity given the steeper competition in play for Yamamoto’s services. 

We keep saying the Yankees need to protect the best years of Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge. If the Yankees sign Yamamoto and can re-sign Soto after next season, they could represent the core of the team in the years beyond 2024. We will be talking about protecting their best years. 

I have seen fans already grading the Yankees’ offseason. I prefer to wait for the finished product or at least until we see the guys who show up in Tampa for Spring Training in February. There is work to be done and it will determine how much better the Yankees can be in 2024.

Suffice it to say that I feel better about the Yankees with Juan Soto and Trent Grisham than without.  Nevertheless, other teams are not going to sleep on the Yankees. They are working to get better, and it is possible the best player in the game, Shohei Ohtani, may sign with Toronto, a key division rival. The Orioles have a wealth of young talent, and if they made a financial commitment to invest in starting pitching, they could be a dominant force for years to come. Never underestimate the Rays or the Red Sox.  If Brian Cashman wants to be up for the challenge in the American League to compete with the league’s best, there will be no rest between now and Spring Training.

Thanks for bringing Juan Soto to us, Brian Cashman, now get to work!

Loss of Pitching

The Yankees took a huge hit with their pitching depth this week because of the Verdugo and Soto trades, and the Rule 5 Draft. RHP Mitch Spence and RHP Matt Sauer were the first two Rule 5 Draft selections made. Ouch!

The list is long:

RHP Greg Weissert, RHP Richard Fitts, and RHP Nicholas Judice to Boston. 

RHP Michael King, RHP Randy Vasquez, RHP Jhony Brito, and RHP Drew Thorpe to San Diego.

RHP Mitch Spence, selected by Oakland in Rule 5 Draft.

RHP Matt Sauer, selected by Kansas City in Rule 5 Draft.

RHP Carson Coleman, selected by Texas in Rule 5 Draft.

Although most Rule 5 picks are generally returned, it seems like a certainty Spence will stick with the lowly A’s and there is a strong chance Sauer stays with the Royals all season long.  Carson Coleman had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last spring, but the Rangers feel he has upside for the bullpen after he completes his rehab. It is possible and maybe probable that all three of the Rule 5 losses stick with their new teams for the duration of the upcoming season. 

Credit to the Yankees for how they have drafted and developed pitching in recent years.  Hopefully, the trend continues as they will need to make up for the losses.  I was dreading the Rule 5 Draft as I do every year since the Yankees are always one of the most targeted teams. It was as painful as I expected.  Even when I see a former Yankees prospect lost in the Rule 5 Draft bounce from team to team like catcher Luis Torrens, I wonder what could have been if the player had been allowed to continue his development in the Yankees organization.  Spence, Sauer, and Coleman appear to be more Major League-ready than Torrens did, but new organizations represent change, for better or worse, and the players will need to adapt.  I wish them luck with the slight hope they are offered back to the Yankees.

As always, Go Yankees!

While We Wait for (the) Judge's Decision...

  

Aaron Judge and Friends (Photo Credit: @MLB via Twitter)

Aaron Judge, 2022 AL MVP…

Aaron Judge is the King of New York.

With 28 of 30 first place votes by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, Aaron Judge became the American League’s Most Valuable Player for 2022. The two non-votes were courtesy of Los Angeles area writers who opted for the multi-talented Shohei Ohtani.

While I have no issue with the two writers who chose to vote for their hometown star, a player they followed every day, there is no question Aaron Judge was THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER in the American League this year. The focus was on the home run count (62, an American League record, eclipsing the great Roger Maris by one). However, Judge’s dominance did not stop there. He had a Major League best 11.4 fWAR. By comparison, the NL MVP, Paul Goldschmidt, had a 7.1 fWAR. Baseball Reference lists Judge with 10.6 WAR but regardless of how you score at home, Judge crushed it. Judge led the American League with On-Base Percentage (.425), Slugging Percentage (.686), On-Base Plus Slugging (1.111), Runs Scored (133), Total Bases (391), Runs Batted In (131), Bases on Balls (111), Extra Base Hits (90), and Times on Base (294). Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference. Judge’s batting average of .311 was second in the AL. 

Aaron Judge may never have another season like this one, and it was a fun year to be a Yankee fan despite the disappointing ending. During the pre- and post-Award win interviews, Judge handled himself with the utmost grace, unseen since the days of Derek Jeter. It is the same Judge we see after games, and anytime he faces the public. He is the consummate professional and made for New York. There was little doubt Judge would win when the MLB Network brought former tallest MVP Giancarlo Stanton on-screen to announce the winner.

The experts continue to point toward free agent Judge signing with the Yankees. I hope they are right. There was a bittersweet feeling watching Judge win MVP, knowing that he could depart for another team in the coming weeks. The Yankees are saying the right words, and they have submitted an upgraded offer to Judge according to GM Brian Cashman. It seems there will be no resolution until at least the Winter Meetings next month. The fear is that this drags out and prevents the team from making other upgrades despite the team’s assurances it will not. I want Judge back in Pinstripes. I know his age, and concerns about such a large man aging well as he moves through his thirties. Some guys are meant to wear only one uniform in their career and Judge is one of those guys.  The Captaincy of the Yankees awaits, as does a future date in Monument Park.

I do not want to lose Aaron Judge. We do not want to lose Aaron Judge. He is ours. The power is within Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner’s control. Make Judge happy with wealth which, in turn, will provide us with a wealth of happiness.

Aaron, please stay.

The return of Anthony Rizzo.

It was music to my ears to hear the Yankees had re-signed Anthony Rizzo to return as their brilliant first baseman for the next two years. As we know, Rizzo had exercised the player option on his previous contract to opt out. Tagged with the qualifying offer, Rizzo rejected it but no sooner than you could say the words “The Houston Astros are interested in Rizzo”, the veteran first baseman had re-signed with your favorite baseball team.

Rizzo’s new deal calls for $17 million in each of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. There is a team option for $17 million in 2025 or $6 million buyout. So, the contract is worth at least $40 million and could be worth as much as $51 million. Rizzo has limited no-trade protection and can block deals to six clubs annually. 

I am very happy Rizzo chose to return to the Yankees. In retrospect, it is clear Rizzo had no desire to go elsewhere. He did not speak to other clubs, and after signing the new contract, he expressed his love being a Yankee. Rizzo, rest assured, we love you as a Yankee too. 

Anthony Rizzo, Yankee

The left-handed balance, the timely hits and home runs, the protection he provides the lineup, his brilliant defense at first base (saving countless runs), his elite clubhouse leadership, there are so many reasons that Rizzo is right for the Yankees.

The problems Rizzo encountered last season with the back spasms are a concern. Rizzo is no Spring Chicken; he is 33 years old. But let the record show he is nearly two years younger than NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt. There is hope he will benefit from the elimination of the shift next season, and I hope they can find the right treatment to limit any issues or concerns related to his back. Despite the concerns, I would rather have Rizzo on the team than not. 

Welcome back, Anthony!

Yankees re-sign Key Player.

Okay, the title is misleading…at least in my opinion. After the Yankees had announced they had signed infielder (I refuse to call him shortstop) Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a guaranteed 1-year, $6 million contract for the 2023 season, I saw an article that declared the Yankees had re-signed a key player. Um, excuse me? Most of the fan base wanted IKF non-tendered. So, there was a collective groan in the Yankees Universe when the news of the signing surfaced. 

IKF is not a bad guy. He is not “unlikeable” (like a certain third baseman who plays to his right). There are positive factors about his play, both offensively and defensively, but he should not be the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees. I did not really see the Yankees non-tendering IKF although I would not have been disappointed if they had. He has value as a utility man given his ability to play the left side of the infield and can even catch if necessary.  Maybe that role is not worth $6 million, but it is not my money.

Although IKF is presently a Yankee, there is no guarantee he will be when the team takes the field on March 30^th.  There is always a chance the Yankees find a trade partner. The Minnesota Twins liked IKF well enough last year to send their starting catcher to the Texas Rangers for the infielder. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so there is always a chance another team sees the value IKF can bring to their team. He strikes me as a player would thrive away from the Main Stage of Major League Baseball. I think he is a good guy, and I would like to see him have success. It does not mean that I think he should be a Yankee. I am hopeful for a trade, although I will support him if he is on the Opening Day Roster so long as he is not the starting shortstop.

Although it is possible Anthony Volpe could absolutely kill it in Spring Training (ala Greg Bird and Kyle Higashioka), I think it is more likely the Yankees break camp with Oswald Peraza as their starting shortstop. Volpe will have his chances, but I think it will be closer to summertime before he makes an impact for the big-league club. Until they are signed, there is always a lottery chance that Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, or Dansby Swanson could be Yankees although they seem unlikely. 

Cody Bellinger to the Yankees?

In a surprise to no one, the Los Angeles Dodgers non-tendered former NL MVP outfielder Cody Bellinger. Fans immediately began clamoring for the Yankees to sign the new free agent, son of a former Yankee. I like Cody. He is good defensive player and can play all outfield positions, plus first base. The problem is his bat.

Bellinger has declining production since his MVP year of 2019. In 2022, he hit .210/.265/.389, with .284 wOBA and 83 wRC+. He played 144 games, hitting 19 home runs and drove in 68 runs. He also stole 14 bags.

Cody Bellinger (Photo Credit: Carole Brehman/EPA, via Shutterstock)

The Yankees do not need another hitter who cannot hit. Maybe the Yankees see something they can tweak to return Bellinger to his 2019 glory, but I would rather have more of a sure thing. Realistically, I think the Los Angeles Dodgers will strike a new deal to bring Belli back to Chavez Ravine. His production did not warrant the $18 million he would have cost next season, thus, the non-tender. However, it does not mean he is not wanted in Los Angeles. I would hate to see him re-surface in Toronto or Boston and find his prior success.  I am hoping for his return to the Dodgers.

As for the Yankees, my left field favorite remains Andrew Benintendi. Brandon Nimmo would be ideal; however, I think Benny is the more reasonable target for Hal Steinbrenner’s wallet. I would really like to see Benny for a full season in the Bronx. He was starting to make a difference when he suffered the broken hook of his hamate bone last season. I know many people love Oswaldo Cabrera, and he did a fine job replacing Benny last season. However, I feel he is best used as a regularly playing super-sub, capable of playing both the infield and outfield. Keeping guys fresh for the long haul of an arduous season is paramount for a team’s chances in October.

Roster maintenance.

The Yankees chose to vacate Stephen Ridings’ spot on the 40-man roster. Whether or not, they thought he would pass through waivers, he did not. The New York Mets were the beneficiaries of Ridings’ slide through waiver claim priority. Clearly many teams passed before a 101-win team in the other league claimed the 6’8” reliever.

I would say the loss of Ridings is bittersweet. You always wonder what he could have been if healthy, but then again, can he stay healthy? The Mets will find out. I wish Ridings the best, and I certainly do not want him to fail even if he is now a Met.

The Yankees added right-handed pitcher Randy Vasquez to the 40-man roster this week, as expected. Rosters had to be finalized in advance of next month’s Rule 5 Draft. 

Randy Vasquez (Photo Credit: Somerset Patriots, via NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

I guess the surprise was other strong prospects who were not protected. It guarantees there will be Yankee prospects chosen by other teams next month, which of course is the case every year. Having too many good players is a nice problem to have. The bright side is Rule 5 players tend not to stick with their new teams and are returned. Boston’s Garrett Whitlock and Cleveland’s Trevor Stephan are the exceptions to the rule, but they are a clear minority. I would rather not lose catchers Josh Breaux or Anthony Siegler, or pitcher Matt Sauer, but if they are lost, there will be other guys to replace them.

The Yankees also avoided arbitration with reliever Lou Trivino. While some were suspecting that he would be non-tendered, the Yankees announced they had signed Trivino to a one-year, $4.1 million contract for 2023. It was reported the Yankees did not non-tender any of their arbitration-eligible players. The arbitration-eligible list includes Wandy Peralta, Frankie Montas, Gleyber Torres, Clay Holmes, Jonathan Loaisiga, Domingo German, Lucas Luetge, Kyle Higashioka, Nestor Torres, Jose Trevino, and Michael King. I thought Higgy might be a non-tender candidate. It seems like his half of the catching platoon is ripe for upgrade, but he lives to see another day as a Yankee. 

As always, Go Yankees!