The Yankees needed to make a move this offseason after a disappointing 82-80 record in 2023. The franchise hasn’t won a championship since 2009, and the question is whether newly acquired Juan Soto will help NYY return to greatness. Here’s my take. Guarantees
Wednesday night, San Padres outfielder Juan Soto became a New York Yankee. It was anything but a surprise signing. It was a matter of when, not if, and it cost New York the services of Michael King (4-8, 2.75 ERA in 2023) and Drew Thorpe (14-2, 2.53 ERA in 2023). If they had to be gone to get Soto, so be it because it’s rare to get a player of Soto’s caliber, especially when such a talent bats behind Aaron Judge.
The Yankees had the budget to get him, too, so it would have been a shame if they hadn’t done it. If nothing else, it shows that today’s management is like the Bronx Bombers of old–striking when an opportunity presents itself.
That said, now that we’ve celebrated what they did, it’s time to inject a dose of reality. If Soto is so good, why didn’t he become a difference-maker in Sand Diego? He had 35 home runs and drove in 109 runs, after all. So, the way I see it, Soto does not make the Yankees an AL East or World Series favorite. I’m not even sure they’re a playoff team. The Orioles and Rays are still better; they both have better pitching and a talented, young roster.
It also needs to be seen if he can handle playing in New York. It’s a tough place to play, and he will be pressured to produce immediately. Fans will ride him from the stands and on social media if he gets off to a rough start. There’s another thing. It’s Soto’s defense. It could become an issue, especially when the Yankees play young athletic teams.
Soto’s acquisition may end up being more risky than rewarding, especially if things turn out as they did in the Giancarlo Stanton get. Stanton has struggled at the plate and has been injury-prone in New York. But for now, at least, Soto is a shiny object in the Yankees’ jewel case. Come October, we’ll find out if it stays that way.
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