After the Yankees worst season in 30 years, finishing with a subpar 82-80 record, and missing the Postseason for the first time since 2016, the Yankees need some changes. We have seen in years that the Yankees struggle, Hal Steinbrenner tends to take notice and throw money at some problems. If he does that this winter, the Yankees should be right back where they want to be. Today we will be going over my off-season plan.
1. Trade for Juan Soto
First off, we have the move that will undoubtedly be the biggest trade of the off-season, and that’s Juan Soto. The Padres are in financial turmoil and they are cutting payroll, we know the Yankees are going to be heavy favorites for him. Here is what my trade proposal would be:
NYY Gets: OF Juan Soto, UTL Jake Cronenworth (SD Pays 50%)
SD Gets: RHP Clarke Schmidt, OF Everson Pereira (#3), and RHP Chase Hampton (#4)
Though a steep price, this is a deal the Yankees should be making every single time. The Yankees struggled offensively last season, and adding Soto to the top of that lineup would make for a very fun duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Soto is likely going to be the best Non-Ohtani player available via trade or free agency this winter, and if he’s truly made available, there is no doubt in my mind that the Yankees will seriously pursue Soto.
2. Sign RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 8-Year $208 Million Deal
It’s no question that the Yankees rotation outside of Gerrit Cole was very inconsistent throughout the season. Though it had good stretches, it needs significantly more length. Especially with the injuries and struggles of Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes. Yamamoto fits into this rotation like a glove. Yamamoto will demand a large contract, which makes sense due to the caliber player he is. And the Yankees reportedly are seen as one of the favorites to land him. As it isn’t often that GM Brian Cashman will fly to Japan to watch a player. He got to witness Yamamoto’s 2nd no-hitter of the season. Yamamoto is arguably the best pitcher on the market, and the Yankees might be able to make a huge splash on the Japanese starter.
3. Sign OF Kevin Kiermaier to a 2-Year $18 Million Deal
My third and final major addition is the Yankees signing veteran Kevin Kiermaier. Kiermaier has spent his entire career in the AL East. Playing with Toronto this year and Tampa Bay every year prior. Kiermaier is a player the Yankees could cover especially with Jasson Domínguez missing time to start next year due to Tommy John surgery. Kiermaier has been very consistent as a fantastic defender while giving about league average offense. The Yankees could make him a 4th OFer upon Dominguez’s return, and they could benefit greatly from his services.
Hal Steinbrenner knows he has to go big or go home this winter, and he cannot go home. If the plan I described is similar to what the Yankees pursue this off-season, they could be right back in the mix for the American League Pennant with my acquisitions.
Lineup/Rotation After moves:
2B Gleyber Torres
LF Juan Soto
RF Aaron Judge
DH Giancarlo Stanton
1B Anthony Rizzo
3B DJ LeMahieu
CF Kevin Kiermaier
SS Anthony Volpe
C Austin Wells
Starting Rotation:
RHP Gerrit Cole
RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto
LHP Carlos Rodón
RHP Michael King
LHP Nestor Cortes
BS Reports 
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