This winter’s biggest story is the Juan Soto sweepstakes. The New York Yankees, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers are the top five teams on the list, and Soto is anticipated to sign his contract within the next two weeks. The two New York teams are still in the lead, but any of these teams might still sign the superstar. It is rather more difficult to forecast the value of Soto’s agreement, though, as it is said to be enormously significant.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman believes Soto will sign a contract that is more lucrative than the floor’s reported $600 million agreement, but it won’t be the ideal $700 million deal. Heyman believes Soto will get a $630 million, 14-year contract this winter.

“With nearly all major-market teams in the mix, including the Mets and current team, the Yankees, he is set to secure the most lucrative contract in history,” Heyman observed. “Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal, adjusted for union valuation, stands at $437.4 million due to $680 million in deferrals. The Dodgers, Giants, Blue Jays, Red Sox, and even the surprising Tampa Bay Rays are all involved in this high-stakes bidding war, with a rumored deal of 14 years and $630 million at stake.”

There are a lot of variables in Soto’s agreement, but Heyman might be spot on with this projection. Will people be able to opt out? Is it going to be front-loaded? Will several teams make $630 million offers, raising the final price even further?

Ultimately, until Soto’s deal is revealed, no one will actually know the specifics. I would anticipate a deal far over $600 million for 13 to 15 years, just to be safe.

An analyst suggests that the Yankees replace Gleyber Torres with Gold Glover.

With Gleyber Torres still on the free-agent market, the New York Yankees might face a gap at second base.

MLB analyst Pat Ragazzo from Sports Illustrated suggests that the Yankees should consider filling the position by signing Brendan Rodgers, a Gold Glove winner and former third overall draft pick. Rodgers became a free agent after the Colorado Rockies chose not to tender him a contract.

“Brendan Rodgers, an infielder non-tendered by the Rockies last week, is now available as a free agent,” Ragazzo noted. During his season with Colorado, Rodgers played 135 games, producing a .267 batting average, .314 on-base percentage, and .407 slugging percentage, amounting to a .721 OPS with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs. Since his MLB debut in 2019, the right-handed hitter has recorded a career OPS of .725.

“Rodgers won a Gold Glove Award in 2022 with an outstanding 22 defensive runs saved, despite grading as a negative defender at second base the previous two seasons,” Ragazzo continued. “Rodgers is 28 years old, and by adding him to their strong lineup, the Yankees might be able to unleash some of his potential.”

Rodgers isn’t the Gold Glover defender he used to be, but maybe he can still succeed in New York.

For the top of the order, he can add some contact hitting to get on base, and his bat is excellent enough to play at the bottom of the lineup.

An analyst thinks Rodgers could be the Yankees’ stopgap.

Rodgers might be a one- or two-year option for New York, but he probably wouldn’t be the Yankees’ future second baseman.

Caleb Durbin, who is probably a year or two away, is in the minor leagues for the Yankees. In light of this, Ragazzo thinks Rodgers is worth a one-year contract as a temporary solution.

At the absolute least, Rodgers might be a cheap alternative they consider using as a backup at second base. Until Caleb Durbin, a prospect, is considered ready to advance to the major leagues. However, Rodgers is an affordable choice. It might be a good addition as a low-risk, high-reward item.

It would be a huge signing for New York if Rodgers can find his bat and glove with the Yankees. However, the team might easily sever connections with him if he doesn’t. The signing would be inexpensive and have a lot of potential.

Insider: Torres Could Return to the Yankees
Torres has the option to re-sign with the Yankees even though he is a free agent.

Earlier in November, MLB source Jon Heyman stated that New York isn’t ruling out his coming back.

Heyman writes, “The Yankees are allowing Gleyber Torres to look around, but they may give him some thought later depending on what he finds.”

At the same time, Torres wasn’t ruling out rejoining the Yankees.

Since 2018, I have performed here. “I have relatives here,” Torres remarked. “Everyone in the organization is someone I know. Ultimately, though, it’s a company, and I have no influence over it. Let’s see what the upcoming months will bring.

With the Yankees in 2024, Torres hit.257 with 15 home runs and 63 RBIs. He has hit.265 with 138 home runs and 441 RBIs during his MLB career.