Latest rumored Juan Soto 'Plan B' for Yankees is absurdly complicated

If the New York Yankees bring back Juan Soto for between 12 and 15 years, they'll be able to slot a generational offensive talent into right field and carry on their merry way. They might not be able to pull off much else this offseason, and they'll be left with an imperfect fit of Aaron Judge in center field on decreasingly potent legs, but ... still, it's Juan Soto. Worth it.

If Soto leaves for the crosstown Mets, rival Red Sox, or the Toronto Blue Jays, who are still involved for some reason? The Yankees will have a lot more financial flexibility, which they reportedly plan to use on a whole mess of alternatives and moving parts. Everybody's moving.

While it seems like nothing can really get moving until a Soto decision drops, that moment is certainly looming, with the Dec. 9-12 Winter Meetings feeling like the absolute outer limit on a choice being made. That means the Yankees likely already have their ducks in a row, and can pivot quickly if needed.

Even if they move fast, though, it could still take a while to sort all this all, given that MLB insider Bob Nightengale believes their Plan B involves (clears throat, takes in huge gulp of breath): Christian Walker, Willy Adames OR Alex Bregman, Jazz Chisholm moving to second, a Cody Bellinger trade, and a top free agent starting pitcher. Got all that? Good.

Yankees' Plan B for Juan Soto now includes a trade, a shift, and Corbin Burnes

You know, there is an argument for a patient approach and saving money for Kyle Tucker and Vlad Guerrero Jr. next offseason, but that also involves not maximizing a year of Judge's and Gerrit Cole's primes, so we'll shut up about it.

Chisholm moving across the diamond feels necessary, given that infield prospect Caleb Durbin can play third, and the Yankees should still be aiming for more security on Opening Day regardless. If they intend to spend on a top pitcher, they'd better hurry, given the Red Sox aggression in that area. If Boston dips out on Soto, they'll probably have a rotation deal prearranged to drop later that evening.

Bellinger? He's an intriguing piece, as long as the salaries match and the prospect capital isn't too hefty. Get Marcus Stroman into that trade, and it's a win. Absorb his money just because you can, and you might as well rename Bellinger "Josh Donaldson."

Regardless of Soto's decision, the Yankees' offseason is a few weeks away from getting nuts. The only thing left to be determined is how empty all that nuttiness feels.