Let’s be real—re-signing Juan Soto isn’t just the New York Yankees’ top priority; it’s the only priority. Losing him wouldn’t just create a massive void in the outfield; it would be a gut punch to the organization and its fanbase. And if Soto were to sign with the New York Mets? That would sting even more, turning a roster loss into a citywide embarrassment.

Of course, the Yankees could try to pivot with a Plan B. On paper, it sounds logical to take the $600–$700 million earmarked for Soto and invest it across multiple players, strengthening the roster as a whole. But here’s the catch—Plan B might already be off the table. The San Francisco Giants, who had been flying under the radar this offseason, just made a significant move, reportedly locking up a key target that could have been the Yankees’ fallback. With Buster Posey leading the charge in reshaping the Giants’ strategy, their patience appears to have paid off, leaving the Yankees scrambling.

The New York Yankee’s Plan B torpedoed

Missing out on Juan Soto would be a seismic blow for the Yankees. After all, Soto was instrumental in their return to the World Series after a 15-year drought. The Yankees are eager to build on that success and aim for nothing less than a championship next season. However, Soto has reportedly been offered more than $700 million, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post—a figure that’s nearly impossible to refuse.

Even with Soto, the Yankees had lingering gaps on the roster, particularly in the infield at second or third base, that needed addressing. That’s where Willy Adames comes into the picture. Adames seemed like the ideal solution to the Yankees’ infield woes. With a 30-home-run bat and outstanding defensive capabilities, he stood out as a rare gem in a free-agent market where power hitters are increasingly hard to come by. Pairing Adames with a top-tier pitcher like Corbin Burnes or Max Fried would have solidified the Yankees’ roster, addressing multiple needs and setting them up as formidable contenders.

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However, Adames is now off the table, having inked a seven-year deal with the Giants worth $182 million which happens to be the biggest deal in the franchise’s history. This leaves the Yankees scrambling for alternatives. Options like Alex Bregman or Nolan Arenado remain on the market, but neither provides the same dynamic combination of power and defense nor do they offer the same level of lineup protection for Aaron Judge that Adames would have. The Yankees face a critical decision as they attempt to patch up their roster and maintain their championship aspirations. Now, let’s have a look at players who could be potential alternatives for the Dominican superstar.

Juan Soto alternatives for NY Yankees

Losing Juan Soto would undoubtedly be a massive blow to the Yankees, especially if he ends up with their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets. However, the Yankees do have an opportunity to counterpunch and potentially land a marquee player of their own—Pete Alonso. The Mets’ star first baseman has thrived in the high-pressure environment of New York, and his power bat could be just what the Yankees need to maintain their offensive firepower.

With Anthony Rizzo likely nearing retirement, Alonso could step in and not only fill the void at first base but also bring a much-needed leadership presence to the clubhouse.

Another name the New York Yankees should keep on their radar is Roki Sasaki. The Japanese sensation, who was posted by his team this year, could be a game-changer. Like Shohei Ohtani, Sasaki is subject to international bonus pool rules, meaning the Yankees wouldn’t be at a disadvantage financially—they just need to sell him on the allure of wearing pinstripes.

At just 23 years old, Sasaki is a true triple threat with a fastball, splitter, and slider that have left hitters in Japan scrambling. His dominance in Nippon Professional Baseball makes him a tantalizing prospect for MLB teams, and he could very well replicate that success on American soil.

While the Yankees’ primary goal remains re-signing Juan Soto, having a solid Plan B is always wise. Whether it’s securing Sasaki to strengthen the pitching staff or other strategic moves, the Yankees have plenty of options to stay competitive. What do you think? Let us know!