After missing out on Juan Soto, many assumed the New York Yankees would pivot to top bats like Teoscar Hernández or Anthony Santander. Instead, General Manager Brian Cashman took a different route, signing major star—the second-best pitcher on the market—to a massive eight-year contract.
While he is a superior player compared to Hernández and Santander, he doesn’t directly address the Yankees’ most urgent needs. His addition strengthens an already formidable rotation, which didn’t lack talent even before his arrival. Now, the Yankees boast one of the best and deepest pitching staffs in baseball, featuring seven MLB-caliber starters and solid Triple-A depth—a major asset heading into 2025.
This surplus of pitching talent puts the Yankees in a position to explore blockbuster trades. While Gerrit Cole, Fried, and likely Carlos Rodón are off-limits, the rest of the rotation appears more flexible for the right deal.
Leveraging this depth, the Yankees have reportedly entered the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees are among the most serious contenders for Tucker and possess a player the Astros find particularly intriguing: Luis Gil.
Max Fried signing paves way for Yankees to field better team without Juan Soto
A trade sending Kyle Tucker to the Yankees remains difficult to imagine, given the fierce rivalry with the Astros. However, if Houston is genuinely interested in Luis Gil, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, the Yankees might have the assets to make it happen.
Landing Tucker would arguably leave the Yankees in a stronger position than if they had acquired Juan Soto. While Tucker isn’t quite Soto, pairing him with Max Fried would transform a seemingly bleak offseason into a major triumph. If the Yankees can also convince Tucker to sign a long-term deal, the outcome could be even more favorable.
Even if Tucker remains a long shot, the Yankees are well-positioned to shop Gil for another impactful bat. Should they fail to land a hitter of Tucker’s caliber, the team still has trade options like Clarke Schmidt, Nestor Cortes, and Marcus Stroman to address offensive needs.
While missing out on Soto stings and Fried doesn’t solve the offensive shortcomings, the Yankees have a clear path to acquire the bats necessary to reestablish themselves as serious World Series contenders.
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