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Yankees' 2024 free agents, trade targets, offseason guide after World Series loss | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Yankees' 2024 free agents, trade targets, offseason guide after World Series loss | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Juan Soto

Juan SotoRob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images

  • BY Juan Soto
  • 2B Gleyber Torres
  • RP Clay Holmes
  • RP Tommy Kahnle
  • BY Alex Verdugo
  • RP Tim Hill
  • RP Jonathan Loaisiga

The biggest story of the offseason for the Yankees will be whether Juan Soto's time in the pinstripes lasts beyond the terrific 2024 season in which he hit .288/.419/.569 for an OPS+ of 178 with 31 doubles, 41 home runs and 109 hit RBI in a 7.9 WAR campaign.

It could cost over $500 million to sign him, but the optics of losing him in free agency and the fact that he was such an important part of the team's success make that price one that the Organization may deem necessary.

The addition of Jazz Chisholm Jr. at third base at the trade deadline gives the Yankees some flexibility when it comes to Gleyber Torres' free agency, as they could move Chisholm back to his natural second base position and target a third baseman or keeper to replace him at the hot corner and looking for a new second baseman.

Chances are Torres will play elsewhere in 2024, although he could be a candidate for a qualifying offer.

Clay Holmes (67 G, 30 SV, 3.14 ERA), Tommy Kahnle (50 G, 16 HLD, 2.11 ERA) and Tim Hill (35 G, 3 HLD, 2.05 ERA) were three of the most prominent relievers of the Teams, although Holmes led the majors with 13 blown saves, while Kahnle and Hill were both in their age-34 seasons, so all three could go.

Alex Verdugo is almost certainly out, while the team could try to agree on an incentive-laden deal to bring back Jonathan Loáisiga, who underwent elbow surgery in April, as he has been a stopgap in the past.

Notable club/player options

  • SP Gerrit Cole (opt-out)
  • 1B Anthony Rizzo ($17 million club option)
  • RP Lou Trivino ($5 million club option)
  • RP Luke Weaver ($2.5 million club option)

If the Soto decision is the biggest of the offseason, Gerrit Cole's exit to 1A is on that list, even though his contract contains a unique clause that allows the Yankees to extend his exit by extending him an additional 36 years million dollars to lift the back of his current contract. The tenth year of his contract would be the 2029 season for his 38-year-old.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo failed to play 100 games for the second straight year, turning 35 in August. His $17 million club option will likely be declined, but there's a chance the Yankees could bring him back on a two-year deal with more guaranteed money and a lower AAV.

Lou Trivino declining his option and breakout Luke Weaver exercising his option should both be easy decisions.

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