Sometimes, as the saying goes, the best deals are the ones you don’t make. It’s not just a catchy phrase; it’s a lesson that can resonate deeply, especially when it comes to high-stakes situations like signing professional athletes.
Take the New York Yankees, for example. Initially, they set their sights on Juan Soto, a star outfielder known for his impressive skills at the plate. Soto was a critical part of the Yankees’ lineup that took them to the World Series last fall for the first time since 2009. But in a surprising turn of events, Soto chose to sign with the New York Mets, securing a staggering 15-year, $765 million contract. The Yankees had offered him a similar deal, 16 years for $760 million, but it wasn’t enough to keep him. So, how is it looking for the Yankees right now? Pretty good, it appears.
In response to Soto’s departure, the Yankees quickly revamped their roster, signing pitchers Max Fried and Paul Goldschmidt as free agents and trading for players Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams. All of this action added up to a projected cost of around $283 million, a fraction of what signing Soto would have entailed. And the results? Spectacular. The Yankees are currently running away with the American League East, holding a commanding nine-game lead over the fourth-place Boston Red Sox.
As for Soto, his performance has been decent—batting .232 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs so far this season. He’s been improving, recently hitting three homers in five games. But compare that to Aaron Judge’s remarkable season, where he’s playing without Soto and posting an incredible OPS of 1.237. All things considered, it’s starting to look like the Yankees dodged a bullet.
“It seems that way now,” commented David Cone, a former Yankees pitcher and current ESPN analyst, following a recent game at Dodger Stadium. “Ten years from now we’ll make that judgment, but this year, the first half of the season? Absolutely.”
However, it’s worth noting that the Yankees’ situation is far from settled. Fried has a significant contract of eight years at $218 million, but his history of injuries—he’s had Tommy John surgery and recent forearm issues—raises questions about long-term performance. Bellinger, Goldschmidt, and Williams are all on shorter-term contracts, creating a bit of uncertainty. Goldschmidt and Williams are unrestricted free agents, while Bellinger has a player option that could see him leave as well. It’s a mix of risk and opportunity that could allow the Yankees some breathing room when it comes to roster adjustments in the next offseason.
Despite this uncertainty, the team has managed to construct a well-rounded roster. Currently, their payroll is one of the highest in Major League Baseball at $310.9 million. According to Spotrac, they’ve turned their financial strategy into a master class in roster construction under current salary cap regulations.
“They’ve done very well with the money they spent this year, no question about it,” Cone said. “The Yankees are much more well-rounded defensively now. Last year, according to former players like Luis Severino, they really relied on just two hitters: Judge and Soto. This year, they’ve caught up with the Dodgers in terms of offensive depth and overall team balance.”
Interestingly, Fried wouldn’t have even been an option if Soto had chosen to play in the Bronx. Their contract negotiations happened simultaneously, and while it was known that Fried wanted to remain close to his roots in Los Angeles, he also expressed interest in playing for the Yankees.
“Mostly I had a bunch of meetings, but before making a decision, I was just waiting for Soto to sign,” Fried shared, looking back at the pivotal moment during the Winter Meetings in Dallas. When Soto announced his choice on December 8, Fried swiftly signed with the Yankees two days later. Then the domino effect kicked in, resulting in the acquisitions of Williams, Bellinger, and Goldschmidt before the offseason came to a close.
Even with some bumps along the road, like Williams struggling in the bullpen, the other three new additions have exceeded expectations. Fried especially has been a standout, stepping in for the injured Gerrit Cole and boasting a record of 7-0 with a phenomenal 1.28 ERA before facing the Dodgers last Friday.
Fried has expressed genuine happiness about being a part of the Yankees. “I love it here,” he said. “Everything happened for a reason. I’m just happy I’m with the Yankees.”
In the end, whether or not the Yankees made the right call remains to be seen. But for now, it appears that sometimes, the best deals you make are the ones that don’t involve the big-name players. In this case, they’ve turned what could have been a hefty price tag into a promising opportunity for both the present and the future.
Image Source: Juan Soto @ Instagram
