After missing out on the top free agent, Juan Soto, New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman was eager to re-enter the offseason free-agent and trade discussions.
He started by securing a front-line starter, left-hander Max Fried, and hinted on the third day of the MLB Winter Meetings that more moves are on the horizon.
“No retreat, no surrender. We’ll get back after it. We want to return to the World Series and try to win it,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman declared on MLB Network.
Cashman faced criticism after losing Juan Soto to the Yankees’ crosstown rivals, the Mets, who signed the star outfielder to a record-breaking deal worth up to $805 million. The Yankees reportedly offered Soto $760 million, but the Mets’ offer ultimately sealed the deal.
Acknowledging the disappointment, Cashman told reporters that the Yankees “went above and beyond our comfort level” in their efforts to retain Soto.
Undeterred, Cashman bounced back two days later, signing one of the top pitchers available, left-hander Max Fried, to an eight-year, $218 million contract. He’s also rumored to be aggressively pursuing a trade for Houston Astros slugger Kyle Tucker to bolster the Yankees’ lineup.
Cashman’s urgency is justified, as the Yankees have significant gaps to fill to remain competitive in 2025. They’re in the market for power-hitting first and third basemen after parting ways with Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres, and they need to rebuild their bullpen after losing former closer Clay Holmes to the Mets. Additionally, the lineup requires another left-handed power bat to round out the roster.
