Sep 26, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Juan Soto (22) points to hit team mates after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The Yankees’ timid trend took a break on Wednesday as a maligned front office looked as though it made its biggest splash of MLB’s Winter Meetings so far, as they’re reportedly finalizing a deal to acquire superstar outfielder Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres, as first reported by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.
Andy Martino of SNY, however, has reported that it “has not yet advanced to the point where the teams have told each other they have a deal, and no players have yet been informed that they are on the move.”
Per Morosi, New York is giving up a five-player package that includes pitchers Drew Thorpe, Michael King, Jhony Brito, and Randy Vasquez along with catcher Kyle Higashioka. Soto is only under team control for one more season before hitting free agency in the winter of 2024, but the Yankees’ willingness to part with several pieces ultimately suggests that they’re confident in securing him in the Bronx for the long haul.
The Yankees are also getting outfielder Trent Grisham, who is under team control for two more years, to use as a fourth outfielder.
Talks had been ongoing before the Winter Meetings began on Monday but hit a stalemate when general manager Brian Cashman was reportedly unwilling to part with some of his pitchers — most notably King and Thorpe. But talks ramped back up on Tuesday into Wednesday and with it, optimism that something could get done even after New York acquired left-handed outfielder Alex Verdugo from the rival Boston Red Sox on Tuesday evening.
Soto is the complementary bat the Yankees have been starving for to put alongside Aaron Judge. A slugging left-hander who will prey off the short porch in the Bronx, the 25-year-old is one of the premier…
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