Yankees Secure $97 Million Silver Slugger as Backup for Juan Soto Miss.
The New York Yankees are gearing up for a big offseason, aiming to outbid every team for superstar Juan Soto.
As baseball’s wealthiest franchise, the Yankees are well-positioned to offer whatever it takes to retain Soto.
However, re-signing the elite outfielder is no sure thing, with rivals like the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox also vying for his signature. If Soto falls through, the Yankees have their sights set on another top-tier slugger.
According to Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report, “The Yankees have checked in on (Anthony) Santander,” as per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. “He’d be a great fit at Yankee Stadium, with much of his power directed to right field as a lefty hitter. However, Heyman notes that Santander is only a backup plan if Soto can’t be retained. This puts the Yankees in the same position as the Mets, with the risk that Santander signs before Soto’s market is finalized.”
Santander, who has spent eight seasons with Baltimore, boasts a .246 batting average, 316 extra-base hits, 155 home runs, 435 RBIs, and a .776 OPS.
The 30-year-old is projected to command a five-year, $97 million contract, equating to over $19 million annually, per Spotrac.
With Mets owner Steven Cohen ready to outspend the competition, the battle for Soto will be intense. If the Yankees lose out on him, locking in Santander should be their top priority—provided he remains on the market.