Yankees Reportedly Favorites To Land Padres Star Juan Soto According To Veteran Insider

New York needs to make a major splash and could land Soto this offseason

The New York Yankees have money to spend and need to make a big move this offseason. 

New York is expected to be one of the best teams in baseball each season but hasn't won a World Series since 2009. The Yankees need to make a major change if the club wants to become contenders again. New York has said all of the right things this offseason and has hinted that changes are on the horizon, but the club will need to actually live up to it this offseason.

The Yankees need to add offensive firepower this offseason and specifically more left-handed help. New York also needs to add to the starting rotation. New York's subpar offense was the biggest surprise in 2023 and needs to be addressed first and the club likely will be aggressive to do so. The offensive free agent class is weak so the club may look to do so through trade and reportedly is the favorite to land San Diego Padres star Juan Soto, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden. 

"A trade for Soto makes sense because the Yankees badly need another impact left-handed hitter and must get younger at the same time," Bowden said. "When healthy, a trio of Soto, (Jasson Domínguez), and Aaron Judge should be the best offensive outfield in the sport. The Yankees have the resources to sign Soto long-term if the move works out or they could trade him at the 2024 deadline if things go south.

"They could offer the Padres a package of major-league-ready talent including pitchers Michael King and Jhony Brito, outfielder Everson Pereira, and infielder Oswald Peraza. If they landed Soto, the Yankees could then focus mostly on improving their starting rotation for the rest of the offseason."

Soto almost makes too much sense for the Yankees. They need left-handed power and help in the outfield. Soto already is one of the best hitters in baseball at just 24 years old and is exactly the type of player New York should be on the look out for. If the Yankees could add Soto to the mix plus at least one starting pitcher, they could immediately jump back into the postseason conversation.