Yankees' rumored top choice to replace Juan Soto will likely screw their timeline

Yes, the New York Yankees have a plan in case they miss out on Juan Soto. No, they may never get to execute it.

If the Yankees lose out on the Soto bidding to the Mets (embarrassing), or the slugger somehow prefers the Blue Jays or Red Sox (burn the franchise to the ground), they'll need to replace his slug with the $80 million burning a hole in their pocket.

Teoscar Hernández, who just crushed them in the World Series and delivered the game-tying blow in the ghastly fifth inning of Game 5, would help tremendously, though he'd remove a left-handed threat from their lineup.

According to Jeff Passan's latest ESPN primer (subscription required), the Yankees intend to chase the slugging Hernández to replace their thump if Soto leaves. Unfortunately, he might not be around by then, as the other Hernández favorites are motivated to cause immediate chaos:

"The Dodgers are the favorites to bring him back where he thrived in 2024. Boston is in. So is Baltimore. And the Yankees want him if Soto doesn’t come back, though he could have already signed by the time New York knows where it stands with Soto."

Yankees could pursue Teoscar Hernández as Juan Soto replacement, but ... how?

Also, considering how much the Boston-Soto rumors are inexplicably heating up, the Red Sox acting fast on Hernández suddenly doesn't sound so bad.

The Dodgers have been motivated to bring Hernández back ever since his one-year deal expired as the confetti fell. According to the man himself in the wake of the championship parade, "I’m going to do everything in my power to come back." He and the Dodgers can turn that key together in the coming days and end the Yankees' pipe dream.

New York's braintrust won't even meet with Soto's camp until next week, after the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Mets have all gone through and stated their cases. If the rumors are to be believed, both Toronto and Boston have an air of legitimacy to their pursuits, and the Mets are as deep-pocketed as anyone.

As painful as it may be, Hal Steinbrenner might be forced to take advantage of his meeting's timing and match whatever offers came before him. His leverage is slipping by the day, and if Hernández signs first, it evaporates.