Report: Yankees Are In On Three Blockbuster Offseason Targets
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 09: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) General Manager Brian Cashman and Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees during batting practice before Game Four of the American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on October 9, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 4-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images.
The New York Yankees face a pivotal offseason after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. An MLB insider expects them to respond by seeking at least one huge splash.
Jon Heyman said Tuesday on MLB Network that he anticipates the Yankees bouncing back from an 82-80 season considered a "disaster" by the prestigious organization's elevated standards. That's because they're targeting three marquee players.
"They're in on [Juan] Soto. They're in on [Cody] Bellinger. They're in on [Yoshinobu] Yamamoto," Heyman said. "I do expect them to come out with two -- they could do both Soto and Bellinger."
After Shohei Ohtani, Bellinger and Yamamoto are two of the top free agents available.
Following two horrid seasons, Bellinger rebounded in a major way by batting .307/.356/.525 with 26 home runs and 20 stolen bases last season. The 2019 NL MVP, whose father Clay played for the Yankees, would give their lineup a major boost.
Officially posted by his Japanese club last week, Yamamoto comes to the United States with immediate ace upside. Heyman previously identified the Yankees and New York Mets among multiple teams in "hot pursuit" of the 25-year-old pitcher.
On the other hand, Soto remains under contract for one more season. However, it's looking increasingly likely the San Diego Padres will move the 25-year-old to get under the luxury tax.
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal called Soto "almost certain" to be traded with the organization facing cash-flow issues.
"The question is not whether Soto will be traded," Rosenthal wrote in an article published Tuesday. "The question is which team will acquire him."
Yankee Stadium would certainly make a tantalizing landing spot for the left-handed slugger, who has the highest on-base percentage (.421) of any qualified hitter since making his MLB debut as a 19-year-old in 2018. Soto recovered from a slow start to belt 35 homers with a .930 OPS last season.
