New York Yankees Seek Baseball 'Mecca' Status, Take Aim At Champion Texas Rangers

The New York Yankees made the first big move of the offseason by trading for San Diego Padres slugger Juan Soto, and they'd love to add Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto next.

So, the New York Yankees are jonesing for the limelight, it seems.

The Yankees haven't won the World Series in 14 years — the last time they reached the Fall Classic — despite five appearances in the ALCS.

The Yankees have watched 10 different teams win the past 14 championships, including the Texas Rangers in 2023. Six of those champions have been from the American League, including two each from the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros.

In fact, a team from Texas has represented the AL in the World Series seven times since the Yankees last advanced.

Former Padres slugger Juan Soto joined the Yankees in a blockbuster trade / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers figure to contend again, along with the Astros, in the AL.

And the Yankees desperately want back in the mix after their worst season since 1992, in which they finished 82-80 and missed the playoffs after six consecutive appearances.

In the only big move made during the MLB Winter Meetings earlier this week, New York acquired slugger Juan Soto and Gold Glove center fielder Trent Grisham in a blockbuster trade with the San Diego Padres, and outfielder Alex Verdugo in a trade with the Red Sox. 

Soto, 25, is a three-time All-Star slugger who has a season of team control remaining. He hit .275 with 35 home runs and 109 RBI in 2023 with the Padres.

"The culture we have with the Yankees that we project constantly is our intent to win," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "We're here. We're in it to win it. So that's messaging that's constantly being reinforced."

Cashman, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, said former owner George Steinbrenner's style of luring star free agents still resonates in the organization.

"I think that's a recruiting beacon for anybody ... we certainly want to try to always, under the Steinbrenner leadership, make this the mecca of baseball," he said.

The Yankees remain hot to sign free agent Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 25, who is scheduled to meet Monday with the Yankees during a tour of potential MLB suitors.

Rangers general manager Chris Young was asked whether teams pursuing major moves have any bearing on his dealings this winter.

"I’m not worried about that. This whole time we’ve always focused on the Texas Rangers and what we need to do to put the best team on the field," Young said. "It’s probably related to how I was as a player. I really didn’t worry about too many things externally. I’ve focused on what I need to do on a daily basis to be successful. I just focus on us."

Rangers Reliever CY True Believer

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