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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