Those were the words of Brian Cashman a couple of days ago talking about Juan Soto and what he could mean to the Yankees’ lineup. SU says: where have we heard that before? Ahhhhhh yes, it was Giancarlo Stanton who was a “generational talent.”
SU is trying to get excited about the Yankees’ trade for Juan Soto for many of the guys who actually started games for the Yankees in the 2023 season and were pretty good at it plus their top pitching prospect, Thorpe. I get it: the offense sucked in 2023 and they had to do something. They traded for Verdugo who SU does not like (I mean a Red Sox?) and who strikes me as a Josh Donaldson type personality in the clubhouse (not a good thing). In reading up on Soto, apparently he is a sub-par outfielder and a sub-par baserunner. He is left-handed though (Yay!) and this lineup is desperate for that.
Judge will now be the every day centerfielder at least until Jasson Dominguez is healthy and shows he can claim that spot in the outfield. No doubt, there are now too many outfielders but you know at least one will always be on the Injured List in 2024.
The word is that of course, the Yankees will sign Soto long-term even though Scott Boras is his agent and that Soto turned down a $440 million contract a couple of years ago. You have to figure the asking price will be $500 million+ for Soto covering until he is 45 years old. And if the Yankees reel in Yamamoto, who is expected to get $300 million, SU does not see how the math works for Soto long-term. SU also predicts today that Steve Cohen at the Mets will outbid Hal for Soto in free agency next off-season just because he can.
So, basically, it’s 2024 World Championship or bust. SU checked the roster and it looks like the Yankees are counting on Cortes to rebound (could be) and Rodon to pitch like his baseball card (can he really pitch in New York?). It feels like they are banking on Yamamoto or perhaps will sign Jordan Montgomery.
SU gives Cashman and Hal credit for doing something. As I have said in the past, I prefer the Atlanta Braves’ approach of signing your top prospects at an early age for multiple years but truth be told, we have not yet seen prospects who are deserving. Pereria and Peraza need to show more. Boone has already said LeMahieu is the starting 3rd baseman but SU says Peraza can stake his claim to that spot as DJ is on the downside of his career at this point. Pereria is the odd man out right now.
2023 took a lot of out SU with the Yankees. I stopped caring. Why am I still not excited for 2024 with the addition of Soto? Was this a good trade? I think it was a fair trade to be honest and I will root for Michael King to do well – he’s a good guy and very talented.
What do you all think?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
https://theathletic.com/5115864/2023/12/06/yankees-red-sox-alex-verdugo-trade-analysis/?source=user_shared_article
Didn’t know he was such a stiff
Agreed, Dave. Although the Athletic hates everyone I think when I read evaluations of trades and the players involved. I don’t know why the attraction with this guy but it seems like he is a piece of the puzzle vs. someone to package in another trade this off season.
Soto is an unbelievable pickup for the Yankees. His best comp would be a lefty version of Miguel Cabrera. Same body type and same combination of AVG/OBP and Power. Getting him for Michael King, soon to be 29 with a 13-17 career record is an absolute coup. He has good stuff and may pan out as a #3 or 4 starter if he can stay healthy. Thorpe seems like a B+ prospect, good results in minors with not so special stuff. Maybe a #5 starter if lucky. The rest is borderline filler. (Same for the 3 pitchers given up for Verdugo). Those guys are a dime a dozen and the Yankees always seem to somehow hype them up and get demand for them. Good job by the development PR team. Maybe 1 of 5 becomes a serviceable relief pitcher.
So for one year of control this is still a bargain trade for one of the top 5 hitters in the game. Best of all for you Howard is that he is a lefty power bat who gets on base. I don’t want to hear any complaints in July about Soto being too patient and taking too many walks 😉
The risk is the long term contract. Miggy had his last good year at age 33. Pujos at 37. 400 million for 10 years age 26-36 seems like a risk worth taking. Any years longer in term, say 15/$600 mil, should be written off and averaged into the first ten years. Not even uncle Stevie would want to write off $200 million.