Here's the best immediate 'Plan B' for the Yankees after losing Juan Soto to the Mets

After the Yankees missed out on the Juan Soto sweepstakes when the 26-year-old signed a massive 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets on Sunday night, Brian Cashman and the front office are now forced to shift their focus to acquiring other top talents on the free agent market. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of options.

The Yankees are forced to fill a superstar void with Soto now gone, and they have options. It was reported that the Yankees' offer to Soto was 16 years for $760 million, which shows that the front office is willing to dish out money to superstars.

What's the best 'Plan B' for the Yankees after Juan Soto's departure?

Outfield Solution

The Yankees have two compelling options who could step in to "replace" Soto in 2025 inAnthony Santander and Teoscar Hernández. Both players have been notorious Yankee killers over the years, consistently delivering clutch hits and power displays against the Bronx Bombers. Adding either of them would not only bolster the Yankees' lineup, but also take a significant weapon away from opposing teams in the Dodgers and Orioles.

The short porch on the right field at Yankee Stadium is an enticing feature for both players, especially Santander. As a switch-hitter with strong power numbers from the left side, Santander’s bat could thrive in the hitter-friendly confines of the Bronx. In 2023, he smashed 41 home runs and slashed a .506 (second-highest mark in his career), proving he’s capable of being a middle-of-the-order presence. His ability to drive the ball to all fields while taking full advantage of Yankee Stadium’s dimensions makes him a perfect offensive fit, even though his defense is a concern.

Hernández brings a different value as a right-handed slugger with explosive bat speed and raw power, capable of succeeding in any ballpark. In 2024, he hit 26 home runs with 93 RBIs, showcasing his ability to deliver in clutch moments. In fact, his efforts very much propelled the Dodgers to a World Series in.

Both players are proven impact bats with a history of performing under pressure, and either one could help fill the void left by Soto’s absence.

Starting Pitching

Adding an established veteran like Corbin Burnes or Max Fried is crucial for the Yankees given the state of their rotation. Burnes, the 2021 NL Cy Young winner, boasts an elite cutter and ace-level consistency in high-pressure situations, giving the team a dominant one-two punch with Cole. Fried, a left-hander with pinpoint command and postseason success, would bring balance to the Yankees’ righty-heavy rotation and thrive under October pressure.

Both pitchers would solidify the rotation, reduce Cole’s workload, and prevent the overuse of young arms like Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt. This is the next best power move the Yankees can make since the pitching talent might now supercede the position player talent following Soto (and Willy Adames) signing.

First Base

Letting Anthony Rizzo walk was the right move for the Yankees as the World Series champion was climbing up the ladder in age. Two guys the Yankees should attempt to sign in his wake are Pete Alonso and Christian Walker.

While Steve Cohen is unpredictable and still possesses deep pockets, it seems likely that Pete Alonso could be on the move next. Adding Alonso would be a fantastic move for the Yankees. The two-time Home Run Derby champion has proven his value, delivering clutch performances for the Mets in the postseason and often carrying the team when it mattered most. He’s poised to secure a lucrative contract, and his power bat would be a game-changer in the Bronx.

Walker has been on the Yankees' radar for quite some time, and the 33-year-old first baseman is poised to secure a favorable multi-year contract this winter. Walker, known for his consistent power and reliable defense at first base, has developed into one of the most productive hitters in the league.

There are a lot of paths the Yankees can take as they look to upgrade their roster to compete with the likes of the Dodgers, Mets, etc in 2025, but starting with one of these star players in those three categories should go a long way toward filling the Soto void and officially moving on from those laboring negotiations.