Yankees Still Working Hard For Juan Soto — What Happens If They Miss Out?

The New York Yankees have one objective after falling short in the World Series back in October. Before New York can build on the existing roster, the team must first secure Juan Soto, the 26-year-old superstar left fielder largely responsible for the 2025 postseason run. 

What happens if they fail?

Sources differed this week in identifying the Yankees’ Plan B. Some rumors suggested that the team would target Willy Adames, the 29-year-old free-agent shortstop that jolted the Milwaukee Brewers back into the postseason in 2024. Others reported that the team might target Max Fried, the former Braves ace who missed much of last season with an injury.

The truth is that the Yankees could likely target both players — and a few others — with the money they would save by missing out on Soto. In any case, the mixed reports seem to point to the consensus argument that New York has needs in several areas. After a light path to the World Series through the American League, the team was exposed badly by a superior Dodgers team in the World Series.

The Yankees’ rumored interest in Fried suggests that the front office is acutely aware of the shaky nature of its starting rotation. Beyond Gerrit Cole, who returned from an injury over the summer and flourished in the second half, things were touch-and-go for the Bombers on the bump. Rookie Luis Gil struggled late in the season, while Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes were either missing or ineffective most of the year. Fried is a premium solution to a minor problem, but it would put it to rest if both aces stayed healthy.

Fried isn’t the only high-end starter available in free agency. Blake Snell is already off the table, but Corbin Burnes is still available and reportedly in the early stages of negotiations with New York, among other teams. Several teams are also trying to trade for White Sox ace Garrett Crochet. The heavy-spending Yankees would likely rather snag a free agent, but Crochet would be a valuable acquisition in the right deal.

The interest in Adames, meanwhile, is painfully intuitive. The Yankees’ infield was woefully inadequate at the plate and in the field in 2024. Shortstop Anthony Volpe was not the worst offender in either respect, but his hitting was inconsistent, and the quality of his glove will be best remembered for a disastrous error in Game 5 of the World Series. Judge and Soto combined to form a monstrous duo of outfielders last year, but adding Adames would be a balanced move that would significantly boost the team’s infield quality.

The Yankees’ path through this off-season has an obvious fork in the road, as the team’s funds will naturally be more limited if it re-signs Soto. If New York fails to do so, however, it could open up a world of possibilities in which the team would lose a massive part of the lineup but gain opportunities to improve in other areas.