After what went down in 2023, the New York Yankees have been planning big moves to secure a perfect lineup for the 2024 season. Apart from their rumored chase after free-agency mammoths like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, they are also predicted to make a trade-in on Juan Soto. It seems like the Yankees might have a backup plan to fall back on if the Padres trade doesn’t work out.

The Plan B slugger in question is none other than Charlie Blackmon, the four-time MLB All-Star and outfielder of the Colorado Rockies. A free-agency draft is out of the question for him as of now because he recently signed a contract with his current team. But if Soto exits the equation, will Blackmon be a good fit for the Bronx Bombers?

Charlie Blackmon: A perfect contingency plan for the New York Yankees?

Charlie Blackmon signed a contract in September 2023 for a year-long term with the Colorado Rockies for a sum of $13 million, per AP News. He is a left-handed outfielder, just like his prospective Yankees competitor, Juan Soto. His previous extension contract of $94 million for a six-year term signed in 2018 took place after he secured the NL Batting title the previous year with a BA of .331.

Although a veteran in the game, Blackmon can still produce numbers in the batter’s box. Although 2023 was hampered by a fractured hand, the slugger still had a 0.296 batting average and 40 RBIs. If the Yankees manage to secure him, he will get both a better deal and a better team to play for in the future.

Blackmon and his Yankees’ future

Charlie Blackmon was predicted to make $2 million more on his contract for this year by USA Today. Considering the New York Yankees’ ability to afford high-range players, his salary can vary anywhere from $15 million to $20 million a year. Which is comparatively much lower than Soto’s projected salary of $33 million for the next year in his current team.

Read More: Is Juan Soto’s Future in Flux Again as Yankees Interest Peaks Following $440M Washington Snub in 2022?

Compared to Soto’s record of 156 hits with 97 RBIs and an OPS of .930 across 162 games, “Chuck Nazty” shows why he will be a perfect replacement if the former does not get to be a Yankee the following season. We have to depend on time to give us the final answer on whom the Pinstripes choose to enroll in their team.

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