The New York Yankees, still reeling from Juan Soto’s blockbuster departure to the rival New York Mets, are rumored to have a backup plan in mind. According to Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, the Yankees could secure free agent outfielder Anthony Santander on a five-year, $100 million contract—a potential move to replace the void left by Soto’s departure.
Santander, a switch-hitting slugger, launched 44 home runs in 2024 for the Baltimore Orioles, earning both All-Star and Silver Slugger honors. Since 2022, he has accumulated 105 total homers, trailing only Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso, and Matt Olson.
Yankees eye Anthony Santander as Juan Soto replacement
MLB
Even with Aaron Judge leading the charge, the Yankees suddenly have some uneasy questions about their offense. After losing Juan Soto to the New York Mets, the Yankees are in dire need of another big bat to protect their superstar slugger.
Santander’s reputation for robust power hitting, combined with his switch-hitting profile, makes him a compelling fit for Yankee Stadium’s short porch in right field. He already hit three home runs in the Bronx during 2024 alone. Baseball Savant’s park-adjusted metrics suggest he would have boosted his career total to 113 home runs had all of his games in the past three seasons been played at Yankee Stadium. Despite Soto’s prowess as a generational on-base machine, Santander’s bat would offer the Yankees formidable pop in the heart of their lineup.
Another angle factoring into this potential signing is roster flexibility. Soto’s monumental contract—reportedly a $765 million haul—was simply too steep for the Yankees to match. By saving payroll, they’ve been able to address multiple areas of need, such as signing elite reliever Devin Williams and locking in frontline starter Max Fried. Santander’s prospective deal—though still nine figures—would allow the front office to further fortify the bullpen or infield, maintaining depth across the roster.
Beyond simply plugging the power hole left by Soto, adding Santander could enhance the Yankees’ overall strategy for the upcoming season. The pairing of Judge and Santander at the heart of the order would put immense pressure on opposing pitchers, particularly in late-game situations. With Judge’s keen eye forcing more strikes, Santander’s power could thrive in a lineup known for capitalizing on pitchers’ mistakes.
Of course, no one player can replicate the full spectrum of Soto’s elite on-base ability and game-changing presence, but Santander’s track record indicates steady power production. If the Yankees hope to return to the World Series, diversifying their resources may pay off more than investing all their budget in one star—even one of Soto’s caliber. By targeting a slugger like Santander and distributing remaining funds to other positions, the Yankees continue to build a well-rounded roster designed for a deep postseason run.
Whether or not Miller’s prediction becomes reality, it’s evident the Yankees are taking a strategic approach to reloading for 2025. In a rapidly shifting free-agent market, landing Santander could be one critical step in the quest to keep their championship hopes alive.
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