3 ways Yankees can take advantage of Padres slashing their budget

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We're open for business at the Winter Meetings at Crazy Preller's Used MLB Player Dealership, and EVERYTHING. MUST. GO!

Well, not quite everything, but word out of San Diego is that the Padres discovered the error of their ways after missing October in 2023 and intend to slash payroll entering next season. No word on exactly how far they'll go, but the anticipation is they'll aim to land around $200 million to pave the path to further profitability. That would mean a 20% reduction, mostly achieved via letting free agents walk and potentially moving some escalating arbitration costs. Is ... that something that could possibly interest Aaron Judge?

The Padres would like to remind everyone that this isn't a Fire Sale. It's simply an admission of guilt, as well as an opportunity for the rest of MLB to add any high-priced recent Padres who aren't tied down (as well as some who are tied down). In other words, at least three-quarters of a fire sale, and the Yankees should be heavily involved. The following three current Padres players are the most logical targets.

RED ALERT DO NOT SIGN RED ALERT: Josh Hader. Sorry, but the Yankees -- in their somewhat precarious financial position -- cannot be shelling out $50-70 million across multiple years to a volatile closer who relies on his elite velocity. If the Yankees sign Hader, he might lock down the ninth in 2024 (and 2025, if they're lucky), but it's more likely he catapults their bloated payroll into Padres territory, triggering yet another sell-off.

3 Padres from 2023 roster who could change Yankees' fortunes in 2024

Blake Snell, LHP

Rumor has it Blake Snell's next contract will approach and exceed $200 million, especially in the wake of his nearly unhittable second half (which should earn him a near-unanimous Cy Young before the Winter Meetings). Any rotation would be beefed up by a potential Snell addition, and although the Yankees love their fleet of young pitching ... (say it with me now) YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH OF IT.

Nestor Cortes Jr. was fantastic in 2021-22, but cannot be relied upon to contribute in 2024, especially given the area in which his injury occurred. Rotator cuff surgery could be a pitching death knell, and Yankees fans should be on pins and needles until it's ruled out entirely. Carlos Rodón has come on strong late, but again ... he can't be penciled in. Michael King and Clarke Schmidt could occupy rotation spots next season. They could also be included in offseason trade packages in a classic Yankees "sell high." Luis Severino won't be back. Frankie Montas won't be back. Jhony Brito is probably a reliever. Randy Vásquez? How could any Yankee fan be against adding more pitching?

Pitching is the game's most volatile commodity. Even when it seems as if someone's been squeezed out of a rotation spot and into a "sixth starter/swingman role," they always find themselves back in the mix. Adding Japanese import Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Snell would be good business, not overkill (as long as the offense is also addressed). Everything should be addressed. The Yankees weren't very good this year. No area has been taken care of.

It wasn't too long ago that Aaron Judge and Snell paid tribute to one another on social media when the Padres visited the Yankees in the Bronx. Snell is no longer a "buy-low trade candidate," though, as he was back then. Instead, he's the NL's most prominent pitching star and in line for a payday the Yankees can provide (and the Padres cannot).

Jake Cronenworth (or Ha-Seong Kim), UTIL

Which long-term infielder deal would interest the Yankees more? Cronenworth is a 2021 and 2022 All-Star who fell on hard times this season (92 OPS+, 1.1 bWAR) and bats from the left side. His versatility stands out; he can cover first and second regularly, and even slotted in at shortstop on occasion in San Diego (get ready to learn third base, buddy...). His extension is about to begin in 2024, keeping him in place for seven more seasons at $80 million. That's certainly a long tenure for someone whose regression has already began.

Kim, whose name popped up in trade rumors all last season before the Padres held firm, is a bWAR merchant (5.7!) whose counting numbers don't quite pop the same way (.264, 17 homers, 113 OPS+). He's heavily rewarded for his fielding prowess -- and, again, versatility -- playing short, second and third with some regularity. He's under team control through 2025, if his mutual option is picked up.

Kim is a better ball player who comes with less of a commitment attached. He's, unfortunately, a right-handed batter. Cronenworth is a lefty and an expensive bounce-back candidate, but could be included in a larger trade as a sweetener (hey, we'll help you twice by taking on a long-term concern...). If the Yankees only have one move in mind, it should be Kim, and they should look for lineup balance elsewhere. But they could attach Cronenworth to...

Juan Soto, OF

Bingo. Want to offset the prospect cost for one year of a Soto trade, even though the package won't approach the initial price for 2.5 years of the superstar outfielder back in 2022? Eat half or more of Cronenworth's contract. That could be enough to remove Spencer Jones/Oswald Peraza from the package, which could be fronted by Everson Pereira, two or three of the Yankees' top-tier pitching prospects, and one or two FCL lottery tickets (that roster's been widely praised, you know).

Worried about where Soto fits in New York? Worry about that when he's extended. The Yankees spent most of 2023 playing Billy McKinney, Jake Bauers, Willie Calhoun and Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the outfield. They can certainly figure it out.

Aaron Judge in right field, Soto in left. Soto in right, Judge temporarily in center. Soto and Judge alternate DH days (Giancarlo Stanton cannot clog up the DH spot permanently any longer, whether the Yankees make a play for the Modern Ted Williams or not).

If the Yankees examine their 2023 roster and determine they have no room for Soto, that would be stupendously silly. Even in a "down year," Soto's still drilled 33 homers, snuck his average over .270 and sits at a 155 OPS+. To shake off an April/May slump the way he has only further proves he's generational. The Yankees whiffed the first time around, and Derek Jeter covets this guy. Why not try it out for a year before negotiating a long-term mega-deal?

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