What Grade Did New York Yankees Receive for Offseason Moves?
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The New York Yankees managed to get moves made this offseason without having to spend an enormous amount of money to do it — though they were prepared to do so.
The offseason might end up being remembered for whiffing on two of the highest-profile free agents in Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Yankees were in, on some level, on both players. But they opted to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But the Yankees did manage to acquire a franchise-altering player in outfielder Juan Soto — for one season, at least.
The Yankees wanted to reinforce their outfield and they did so, but it cost them five players. The Yankees sent catcher Kyle Higasioka and pitchers Randy Vasquez, Michael Kind, Jhony Brito and Drew Thorpe to the San Diego Padres for Soto and another outfielder, Trent Grisham.
It’s risky in that Soto is a free agent after this season, so the Yankees have no guarantees beyond 2024. But the Yankees also have the means to sign Soto long-term.
The Yankees also traded for Boston outfielder Alex Verdugo, giving up pitchers Greg Weissert, Richard Fitts and Nicholas Judice. He’ll play left field, while Soto plays right. Aaron Judge will move to center field. Like Soto, Verdugo can become a free agent next season. Unlike Soto, he’s far more signable if the Yankees want him back.
The Yankees’ other major move was to sign Marcus Stroman on a two-year deal. The former All-Star has pitched in New York before, albeit with the Mets, and gives the Yankees a little more backbone at the back of the rotation. Stroman was having a Cy Young-level season in 2023 before an injury derailed his season. With Gerrit Cole now out for several weeks due to an elbow injury, Stroman’s signing takes on more importance.
The rest of the Yankees’ moves were designed to give them more options out of their bullpen or to bolster an already robust farm system that is ready to start producing more outfielders and pitchers at the Major League level.
The Soto trade can alter the trajectory of the season for the Yankees. Verdugo is a solid outfielder who should provide consistent production. Grisham is a solid rotational outfielder. Stroman’s contract takes on added importance with Cole’s injury, and the Yankees can improve their grade if they make another pitching move for, say, Blake Snell?
For now, the Soto move pulls up their overall offseason grade. The Yankees might have a better grade with higher-profile moves to the bullpen.
Offseason Grade: B+
