The New York Yankees met with outfielder Juan Soto on Monday to pitch him on the benefits of staying in the Bronx for the next decade-plus. Spending 2024 with the Bombers hopefully gives them an advantage, but plenty of teams are vying for his services. Could a backup plan for general manager Brian Cashman include pursuing Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández?
If the Yankees whiff on re-signing Soto, every potential backup plan will seem like a huge disappointment. After all, the 26-year-old was a huge reason why New York reached the World Series for the first time since 2009. He's one of three American League MVP Award finalists after posting a .989 OPS with 41 home runs, 109 RBI and 128 runs scored in 713 plate appearances.
Hernández could be a solid pivot, though. He won his third Silver Slugger Award in 2024 while helping the Dodgers win the World Series. The right-handed slugger posted a .840 OPS with 33 home runs, 99 RBI and 84 runs scored. Signing the 32-year-old would also be a much cheaper route for New York.
MLB Trade Rumors is predicting he'll land a three-year, $60 million deal while contract predictions for Soto have surpassed the $600 million mark. But one potential flaw in viewing Hernández as a viable backup plan in the Bronx is that he may not even be on the free-agent market by the time Soto makes his decision.
ESPN's Jeff Passan noted the Dodgers are the favorites to re-sign the outfielder. However, the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles are two other teams interested in him. Passan said Hernández could be one of the first big names off the board this winter. So if the Yankees view him as their Plan B, they might have to immediately look at Plan C if Soto bolts from the Bronx.
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