3 nightmare free agency fits that can ruin Yankees' lives even further this offseason

Let's face it: the New York Yankees will certainly benefit from roster turnover this offseason, with several key expiring contracts freeing up space for innovation. But they'll also be stung by it, whether or not Juan Soto chooses them.

A number of their competitors, both direct (Red Sox, Orioles) and perceived (Mets), have every intention of getting better this offseason, with perfect fits for their competitive windows hitting the market en masse.

Luckily (read: unluckily!), some of the players who've tortured the Yankees most recently seem likely to end up in their lives on a more regular basis next season.

3 nightmare free agency fits that can ruin Yankees' 2024 season before it starts

Teoscar Hernández, Red Sox

Hernández and the Red Sox meeting in the middle this year feels as inevitable as any move, as long as Boston is being genuine when they claim they're ready to take the next step. The slugging outfielder almost changed the course of history by signing with the Sox last winter, but didn't believe in their chances of being victorious in 2024 and felt he was being lowballed. He was correct on both counts, turning down a two-year, $28 million deal to sign a one-year, $23.5 million contract with the eventual World Champs. In retrospect, it would've been awesome if he'd delivered on his "love" for Fenway last offseason instead, but surely, based on the way things unfolded, some other Dodger would've hit the game-tying double during Game 5 in his place regardless.

This winter, Hernández is going to earn a four-year pact. Maybe the Red Sox will commit to it, putting a thorn firmly in the Yankees' side.

Walker Buehler, Red Sox/Orioles

Who's it going to be? Which AL East team is going to give Buehler the three-year deal he earned with a sterling October, finishing the Yankees off in Game 5 like he was Lance McCullers Jr. or something? Will it be the Orioles, set to lose Corbin Burnes (to the Dodgers?) and desperately needing to open their short-term window a little further? Or will it be Boston, projected to land Jack Flaherty by some, even though Buehler seems like a surer bet for cheaper?

Regardless, this feels like a bedeviling AL East move for sure.

Juan Soto, Mets

This one's no mystery. Soto's postgame media availability after Game 5's crushing defeat could've provided a minute slice of hope to devastated Yankee fans everywhere. He could've mentioned how much he loved wearing the pinstripes, or how tempting a reunion with Aaron Judge would be ... but he's too good at the free agency dance to have done that.

Instead, he just stared at the field, noted how it would be difficult to leave, but that he'd consider any and all generous offers equally, and that was that. In case it wasn't already clear, Soto has every intention of going to the highest bidder, potentially even if the Yankees are oh-so-close, but still in second place.

Sounds like a Met to us. And yes, that would be worse than losing him to LA.