Yankees named early fit to sign rival superstar as Juan Soto replacement

Kevin Hickey

Yankees named early fit to sign rival superstar as Juan Soto replacement image

The New York Yankees don't want to live in a world without superstar Juan Soto on the roster.

While they still are viewed as the favorites to re-sign the 25-year-old phenom, there is the chance Soto opts to go elsewhere in free agency after the season. It's not a fun proposition for Yankee fans to think about, but it's a possibility.

Replacing Soto and his elite production is impossible. There won't be a player available to fill that void alone.

However, if the Yankees miss out on re-signing Soto, they could look at a superstar slugger in the division to help close that gap.

In his way-too-early free agency predictions, Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report suggested the Yankees could be among the teams to go after Baltimore Orioles All-Star Anthony Santander.

Rymer projected Santander's next contract to be five years for $100 million and ultimately predicted he would go to the Seattle Mariners.

"Only so many teams could get in on a market like that, but the [Nationals] could be one of them alongside offense-needy contenders such as the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs and the Yankees if they don't retain Juan Soto."

The switch-hitting right fielder has been a powerful piece in the middle of the Orioles lineup. He earned his first All-Star nod in 2024 in what has turned into a career season.

Santander has a 139 OPS+ (or 39 percent better than league average) with 32 home runs and 75 RBI in 106 games this season, according to Baseball Reference.

The 29-year-old has recorded at least a 120 OPS+ in four of his last five seasons and has averaged 31 home runs per season since 2022. He would be a viable option to provide protection for Aaron Judge.

The Yankees will have their chance to re-sign Soto. He's enjoying his time in The Bronx, and the Yankees could shed roughly $106 million in payroll this offseason.

Re-signing Soto is the best-case scenario for the Yankees but if that endeavor fails, they could look to a division rival.

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Kevin Hickey

Kevin Hickey Photo

Hickey was previously the managing editor of USA Today's Colts Wire. His work is also featured as a fantasy football analyst for The Huddle. A career .232 hitter, he is an avid reader of Spider-Man comics, an admirer of the James Webb Space Telescope, and a keen enthusiast of Ma’s sauce. You can find him on Twitter/X @KevinHickey11