ESPN's 2 aggressive Yankees predictions would be excellent Juan Soto supplements

It's still anyone's guess as to what the New York Yankees are going to do this offseason with or without Juan Soto. If they bring him back, they need need notable roster additions. If they lose him to free agency, they'll have even more work to do.

The answer to the problem is re-signing Soto and supplementing his return with a couple other big names. The Bombers still need infield and pitching help. They also must address their depth.

Fans have had different opinions on how to go about this, but ESPN recently offered two big-time solutions that would be acceptable as long as Soto returns. Talk about the Plan Bs all you want, but unless the Yankees can manage to sign the next best three names (assuming some don't already find a new home before Soto makes a decision), the contingency options seemingly get worse and worse.

For the sake of this exercise, let's say Soto is back and ESPN's predictions come true. How would fans feel about the Yankees signing Willy Adames and then trading for Brewers closer Devin Williams? That'd be a pretty good offseason, right?

ESPN has New York inking Adames to a seven-year, $189 million contract. Though that seems expensive, the Yankees cannot make a notable enough impact via trade because of their weakened farm system (coupled with their hesitancy to give in order to get).

As for Williams, he's projected to make $8.4 million in 2025, and that's a trade the Yankees can swing. The Brewers will definitely be looking to get value here, but will be at a bit of a disadvantage because other teams know their desire to clear payroll. And someone like Williams isn't going to cost you a top-five prospect as a rental coming off an injury-shortened season.

With these two additions plus Soto, the Yankees will have addressed to major areas of need in the back end of the bullpen and their infield depth/versatility/star power. Williams and Weaver can trade off high-leverage innings and anchor the bullpen, and will be a much better duo than Weaver-Clay Holmes or Weaver-Tommy Kahnle.

As for Adames, $27 million per season is steep, but he can play shortstop and many suspect he's ready for third base as soon as 2025. Put him at third, move Jazz Chisholm to second base, keep Volpe at shortstop and figure out a first base solution, and that's already an infinitely better infield both offensively and defensively compared to 2024 — something they will need because the return of Soto will still have the outfield alignment out of whack.

The rumors will continue to heat up over the next week and a half, and these scenarios very much remain in play as the free agency/trade pieces begin to fall into place.