The New York Yankees are hoping to re-sign Juan Soto but if they don’t they will be active in free agency to sign an outfielder.
Soto is the top free agent available and Ryan Finkelstein of Just Baseball predicted he will sign a 15-year $645 million deal with the New York Mets. With that, Finkelstein has the Yankees signing Teoscar Hernandez to a four-year $85 million deal.
“The prove-it deal was a bet on himself, and a chance to win it all with the best team in baseball,” Finkelstein wrote. “Things worked out on both fronts for Hernandez, who put up an All-Star season and took home his first World Series ring. Now, Hernandez is ready to cash in and get paid. Entering his age-32 season, this is his real chance to get paid on a long-term deal. Since 2019, Tesocar is one of just a few hitters who has eclipsed 25 home runs in every full season.
His 158 home runs over that span rank 15th in MLB,” Finkelstein added. “Many teams will call Hernandez to add some power to their lineup, but the differentiating factor in negotiations may come down to who is willing to commit the most years to him.”
If the Yankees do lose out on Soto, signing Hernandez would be the next best thing. His bat would help offset the loss of Soto and would come much cheaper.