Yankees LOST Juan Soto & Roki Sasaki But Are They Now EVEN BETTER
This winter, the New York Yankees suffered two major blows. Juan Soto, one of the most sought-after free agents, joined their cross-town rivals, the New York Mets. Meanwhile, Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki didn’t even consider the Yankees among his top three destinations.
These losses left Yankees fans frustrated. However, a former MLB general manager insists that the team still emerged as offseason winners.
Ex-GM: Yankees’ Smart Offseason Pivot
According to Jim Bowden, former Cincinnati Reds GM and current analyst for The Athletic, the Yankees executed a brilliant pivot despite missing out on Soto and Sasaki.
“The Yankees lost Soto to the Mets and yet have still had a better offseason than their cross-town rivals, thanks to an outstanding pivot by GM Brian Cashman and owner Hal Steinbrenner,” Bowden wrote.
Key Acquisitions That Saved the Yankees
Despite losing Soto, the Yankees made several strategic moves to bolster their roster:
- Signed ace Max Fried, giving them arguably the best starting rotation in the AL East.
- Traded for elite closer Devin Williams, whose devastating changeup adds firepower to the bullpen.
- Acquired Cody Bellinger, replacing some of Soto’s offensive production in the outfield.
- Signed Paul Goldschmidt, a veteran slugger, to add more power to the lineup.
Are These Moves Enough?
Despite these upgrades, questions still loom over the Yankees’ roster:
- Who will play third or second base? Jazz Chisholm Jr. is expected to fill one of these roles.
- Bullpen uncertainty: The Yankees still lack a left-handed reliever, leaving a potential weakness.
On top of that, losing Soto means losing one of MLB’s most complete hitters, leading many to question whether the team truly improved.
Defense Could Be the Game-Changer
Bowden argues that the Yankees didn’t just focus on offense—they dramatically improved their defense.
“One of the keys to the Yankees’ pivot is the potential upgrade of their team defense, especially at second base, center field, right field, and third base.”
- Second base stability if Chisholm takes over.
- Center field upgrade with Bellinger in play.
- Right field consistency with Aaron Judge.
- Third base solution if Oswaldo Cabrera steps up.
Final Verdict: Are the Yankees Actually Winners?
While the Yankees lost two generational talents, they rebounded with key signings. Their elite pitching rotation, improved bullpen, and stronger defense could keep them competitive.
But will these moves be enough to contend for a World Series? Or will losing Soto and failing to sign Sasaki haunt them?
Can the Yankees Compete for a Championship?
Despite the Yankees’ strong pivots, their championship aspirations remain uncertain. The AL East is stacked with competition, and while their starting rotation looks dominant on paper, injuries or underperformance could derail their season. Offensively, Bellinger and Goldschmidt bring power, but neither fully replaces Soto’s elite hitting and on-base ability. Additionally, without a true left-handed reliever, their bullpen could struggle in key matchups. Yankees fans have high expectations, but whether this roster truly elevates them to title contention remains the biggest question. Can Cashman’s bold strategy prove doubters wrong, or will this offseason ultimately be seen as a failure?
