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Yankees Rumors: ESPN, SNY offer free agent solutions NYY fans have been dying for

Yankees fans have been longing for roster additions like these.
ByPat Ragazzo
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Sep 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Luis Arraez (4) prepares to bat during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Sep 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Luis Arraez (4) prepares to bat during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Yankees were swept by the AL East rival Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS, but are still bringing back GM Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone next season. As a result, the Yankees are in need of several roster additions to fix some of their glaring holes on the club.

In recent prediction articles, ESPN and SNY offered solutions to the Yankees' roster woes with a number of players who could help mend their weaknesses. We're going to take a look at the players they predicted to join the Yankees, which are the types of acquisitions that fans have been dying for.

ESPN names Teruaki Sato as a best fit for the Yankees

ESPN's David Schoenfield listed star Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato of the Hanshin Tigers as a best fit for the Yankees. Sato, who turns 28 in March, is coming off a season where he won the Triple Crown in the NPB after slashing .306/.383/.609 (.991 OPS), 39 home runs and 106 RBI in 143 games.

Sato is a natural third baseman and could replace Ryan McMahon, who is owed $16 million in 2027, if the Yankees bring him in. While Sato's left-handed bat and high-strikeout rate don't necessarily fit the Yankees' lefty heavy lineup, he brings a great deal of power at the plate that would complement Aaron Judge and Ben Rice nicely.

Last offseason, Yankees fans wanted Kazuma Okamoto. Turns out, that would've been a great move. Perhaps Sato could represent a bit of a rebound for them in the Japanese market.

SNY predicts Yankees to sign Luis Arráez, Ryan Jeffers

SNY columnist John Harper predicted that the Yankees will sign both second baseman Luis Arráez and catcher Ryan Jeffers this winter. The Yankees have needs at both second base and catcher, two positions where they didn't receive much offensive production last season.

Arráez could be the successor to Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base. Arráez had an All-Star campaign in 2026 for the San Francisco Giants before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies at the deadline. He also greatly improved his second base defense, posting 12 Outs Above Average (fifth-best at his position). Arráez would be an upgrade over Anthony Volpe at second base and allow the young slugger to firmly maintain a bench role, which he's likely best suited for.

As for Jeffers, he was limited to 92 games last season due to a broken hamate bone, but produced the second-best offensive showing of his career. Jeffers slashed .256/.353/.461 (.814 OPS), 127 OPS+, 14 homers, 56 RBI and a 2.8 bWAR. Jeffers, who turns 30 in June, could be a right-handed complement behind the plate to the lefty hitting Austin Wells.

Yankees fans were hoping both of these players were acquired at this year's trade deadline. Perhaps all they needed to do was wait a few months (and hope for the 2027 season to happen). We'll see what the month of November brings us.

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