THE YANKEES currently are focused on two top targets — Juan Soto and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. They have relatively high hopes for both — although there’s much more competition for Yamamoto.
The Yankees believe the field for Soto — a one-year rental player who’ll make about $32M in arbitration — is small for obvious reasons.
Few teams want to surrender big-time young players for rentals.
The Yankees are targeting Juan Soto this offseason. Getty ImagesAnyway, it’s hard to see the Yankees giving up Anthony Volpe or Jasson Dominguez — two players the Padres mentioned.
But they could talk about pitchers Michael King and Clarke Schmidt, and/or pitching prospect Drew Thorpe (they prefer to keep King and Thorpe).
They also believe they have a legit shot at Yamamoto, who has the deepest group of serious suitors for any player in the $200M category.
Meanwhile, multiple rival teams believe the crosstown Mets should be considered favored for Yamamoto, 25.
The Yankees will face plenty of competition for Yoshinobu Yamamoto . MLB Photos via Getty ImagesThe Dodgers, Giants, Red Sox, Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals, Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks and Tigers are all linked to Yamamoto.
The Braves, who lost out on Aaron Nola and Sonny Gray, are looking at free-agent starters.
