The New York Yankees’ first objective this offseason is to re-sign superstar slugger Juan Soto, but doing so will be pricey. The five-time Silver Slugger is the most sought-after free agent and might sign a contract similar to Japanese-born prodigy Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking $700 million deal. Soto is anticipated to sign for around $600 million. Adding Soto’s salary to the payroll for next season may limit the Yankees’ spending options this winter.
However, according to the most recent expert projection, the Bronx Bombers are in a strong position to sign the best hurler on the market. “Corbin Burnes to the Yankees,” MLB.com’s Manny Randhawa wrote Tuesday morning, forecasting free agents who would join with division rivals this summer. “Yes, the Yankees have 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole under contract through 2028, but given the injuries their rotation has suffered the past couple of years — Cole was limited to 17 starts last season and the year before, Carlos Rodón and Nestor Cortes combined for 26 starts — they know more than most that you can never have enough starting pitching.”
Burnes has been considered as a potential for the American League East foe Boston Red Sox, who are desperate to add a proven ace this winter. “Enter Burnes, who is the top remaining free-agent starter on the market and a former Cy Young Award winner himself,” says Randhawa. “Soto remains the Yankees’ top focus this offseason, but the organization has allegedly communicated with Burnes’ camp. The 30-year-old right-hander has been consistently excellent; in 2024, he recorded a 2.92 ERA across 32 starts for the (Baltimore) Orioles, who acquired him in a deal with the (Milwaukee) Brewers.” Burnes is one of the league’s most consistent starters, with an estimated market value of almost $200 million over a seven-year contract, or nearly $29 million per year, according to MLB Trade Rumours. If Soto goes anywhere other than the Yankees before Burnes, it would be surprising if New York failed to sign the four-time All-Star pitcher, especially if the fierce rival Red Sox grab the superstar slugger from the Bronx, which is a possibility.
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