The Yankees could get an answer from Juan Soto at the Winter Meetings

This story is excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to receive it regularly in your inbox.

The Yankees stole the show at the Winter Meetings last year, turning up the midweek festivities with a blockbuster trade to acquire Juan Soto, a move that directly led to the club’s first World Series appearance in 15 years.

Soto will once again be at the center of all discussions during this year’s event in Dallas, where the Yankees will once again hope to make big news.

The industry is prepared for Soto to announce his decision no later than the winter meetings. The free agent outfielder has reportedly received multiple offers worth more than $600 million – including one from the Bombers, who have made no secret of their strong desire to keep him.

“We’ve had meetings with a number of franchises,” agent Scott Boras said this week in Los Angeles. “He started eliminating teams and getting things done. Juan is a very methodical thinker, so we’ll see, but I don’t think anything is imminent in the near future.”

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has a lot on his shopping list, even if Soto returns, but especially if he doesn’t return.

In addition to Soto, who would reprise his role as starting right fielder, the club has vacancies in left field (Alex Verdugo), second base (Gleyber Torres), first base (Anthony Rizzo) and the bullpen (Tim Hill, Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle). They would also like to add a starting pitcher.

Potential trade candidates

Cashman always says he’s “open to anything that makes sense,” which serves as an invitation to other GMs to pick up the phone or send a text during these meetings. Over the course of their time together under one roof, ideas of all sizes are hatched; Most aren’t going anywhere, but a select few are.

Looking at the 40-man roster, the Yanks have several players who could fuel the discussion to varying degrees. This group includes Nestor Cortes, Cody Poteet, Marcus Stroman, Will Warren, Jose Trevino, Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza and Trent Grisham.

Caleb Durbin had an impressive performance in the Arizona Fall League that earned the 24-year-old infielder a spot on the 40-man roster. Manager Aaron Boone recently said he expects the speedster to “play a big role for us in the coming years.” Season.”

With Torres unlikely to return, Durbin is expected to enter Spring Training competing for the second base job. He could also be used in a useful role.

The Yankees placed Durbin and catcher Jesus Rodriguez on their 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft, but they will likely trade some talent at the end of the meetings in Dallas. Right-hander Zach Messinger might be their most attractive target, as some scouts envision him fitting in a big league bullpen right now. First baseman TJ Rumfield, right-hander Bailey Dees and right-hander Cole Ayers could also earn a pick.

Plan A is clearly to run it back with Soto and more, but what happens if Soto doesn’t return? This is where things get tough for the Yankees, but with the team willing to make Soto their highest-paid player, they would have the cushion of deep pockets to address some of these needs.

In a scenario where Soto plays elsewhere, nothing would be off the table, including attempts to woo free agents like Corbin Burnes, Willy Adames, Pete Alonso, Anthony Santander and Christian Walker, and potential trades for Cody Bellinger from the Cubs and/or or Nolan Arenado of the Cardinals.

But the goal can’t just be about spending money, as the cautionary tale of Robinson Canó’s free agency shows. When Canó accepted a larger contract from the Mariners before the 2014 season, the Yankees moved and used their surplus to sign three major free agents: Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltrán. Suffice it to say, they would love to do something new this winter.