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MLB Rumors: Yankees 'Wouldn't Budge' on Giving Juan Soto a Suite in Contract Talks

Dec 10, 2024
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees in action against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game Five of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in New York City. The Dodgers defeated the Yankees 7-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees in action against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game Five of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in New York City. The Dodgers defeated the Yankees 7-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

As the New York Yankees take their next steps after losing Juan Soto to the New York Mets, new details about their contract offer to the four-time All-Star have come to light.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees "wouldn't budge" on giving Soto a suite at Yankee Stadium to use for his family because they felt they couldn't do that since Aaron Judge and Derek Jeter paid to use suites.

The Mets won the Soto sweepstakes when he agreed to a record-setting 15-year, $765 million contract with escalators that could push the total value over $800 million to leave the Bronx for Queens, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The Yankees' best offer to Soto came in at $760 million over 16 years.

There wasn't much of a difference between the average annual salary offered in the deals from the Yankees ($47.5 million) or Mets ($51 million). Either one would have made him the highest-paid player in MLB history by total value and second-highest paid by average annual salary (Shohei Ohtani: $70 million per season).

Mets owner Steve Cohen did make it fairly easy for Soto to get the escalators that could push the contract over $800 million. The deal includes an opt-out after the fifth season that can be voided if the Mets increase his salary from $51 million to $55 million for the final 10 years of the contract.

It would seem unlikely that not giving Soto a suite at Yankee Stadium would be a major dealbreaker, but when negotiations between two teams are this close, all of the details will be heavily scrutinized.

One key difference between Soto and the past deals they did with Judge and Jeter is that Soto wasn't a career-long Yankee. Judge and Jeter were drafted by the organization and became superstars in the Bronx.

Soto was already an established star by the time the Yankees acquired from the San Diego Padres last offseason. Even though he seemed to enjoy his time with the club, the deep connection with the Yankees that Judge and Jeter built over several years wasn't going to be the same for Soto.

Ultimately, it seems, the best offer won out in the end. Soto was great for the Yankees and helped them reach the World Series for the first time since 2009. Now, he will look to do the same thing for the Mets starting next season.

Nolan Arenado Rumors: Yankees Have Interest in Cardinals 3B amid Mozeliak Comments

Dec 10, 2024
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 24: St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) warms up in the on deck circle in the first inning during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 24, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 24: St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) warms up in the on deck circle in the first inning during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 24, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals are interested in parting ways with Nolan Arenado, and they could have a suitor for him.

Per MLB.com's John Denton, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said it is his "intention to try" to trade the third baseman. The Athletic's Katie Woo reported the New York Yankees are interested in Arenado after failing to re-sign Juan Soto.

"At least one team involved in the Soto bidding—the New York Yankees—has expressed interest in Arenado, according to a league source, though it is unclear at this time if the Yankees are one of Arenado's approved teams," Woo wrote.

Arenado will earn $74 million over the remaining three years of his eight-year, $260 million contract, and Mozeliak said that the desire to trade him is financially motivated.

"We both remain optimistic that both parties will remain happy somehow," he said. "[Arenado remaining with the Cardinals] is a possibility, but I'm not sure that puts us where we want to be. From a financial standpoint of trying to move our payroll – there are certainly other ways to do that, but [trading Arenado] would be a big help. It's financial, but it also creates a runway for someone else."

A hurdle in the Yankees trading for Arenado is his no-trade clause, which could allow him to veto a deal to New York. If he is in favor of a trade to the Yankees, it could work out well for both St. Louis and New York.

As Mozeliak mentioned, the Cardinals are trying to shed some payroll as they try to rebuild around younger talent. The Yankees, meanwhile, can take on some additional payroll after missing out on Soto, who signed with the New York Mets.

The Yankees need a solid in-fielder who can provide a spark at the plate, and Arenado fits the bill. He had 16 home runs, 71 RBI and a .272 batting average a season ago and could help New York avoid taking a major step back with one of their best players departing this offseason.

Cashman: Yankees Went 'Above & Beyond Our Comfort Level' in Juan Soto Contract Talks

Dec 9, 2024
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees in action against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game Five of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in New York City. The Dodgers defeated the Yankees 7-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees in action against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game Five of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in New York City. The Dodgers defeated the Yankees 7-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Juan Soto signed a massive 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets on Sunday, beating out the reported 16-year, $760 million offer made by the New York Yankees.

On Monday, general manager Brian Cashman told reporters that the Yankees "went above and beyond our comfort level" in negotiations with Soto and congratulated the Mets for landing the biggest free agent on the board this winter.

"There's a lot of different ways to figure this out," he added of the team's contingency plans after losing the superstar outfielder.

Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reported on Sunday that the team's Plan B included "hosting virtual calls with free-agent pitchers Corbin Burnes and Max Fried," with the Yankees likely seeking upgrades in the rotation, bullpen, infield—particularly at first base—and in the outfield, with only superstar Aaron Judge a truly reliable option.

Could that mean pursuing a trade for Cody Bellinger? Signing a free agent like Anthony Santander, Teoscar Hernández, Pete Alonso or even Alex Bregman? How aggressively will they pursue the top pitching options?

The Yankees didn't want to get to this point. Per Hoch, they tried to pursue extension talks with Soto throughout the past year, but those overtures were denied as the star outfielder focused on the season.

It was a good year for the Yankees, as they reached the World Series before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers. But October's failure, coupled with the loss of Soto, has made the past few weeks a rough period for the Bronx Bombers.

Granted, it's possible the back end of Soto's contract will age terribly for the Mets. And committing that much money to one player makes it difficult to build out the rest of the roster without consistently facing the stiffest luxury-tax penalties.

But the Yankees, one of the biggest brands in the sport, just lost a perennial MVP candidate to that other team from New York. Beyond just the hit the Yankees are taking to their on-field product, the optics aren't great, either.

Juan Soto Rumors: Yankees Didn't Counter Mets' $765M Contract; Offered $60M Bonus

Dec 9, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 28: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees in the dugout in the fifth inning during a game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 28: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees in the dugout in the fifth inning during a game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees declined to counter what proved to be the winning bid in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.

Soto and the Mets agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract, per ESPN's Jeff Passan, which is a record-setting sum in major sports.

Sherman reported the Yankees raised their offer to $760 million over 16 years after having previously put a 15-year, $712 million deal on the table Saturday. Their last offer included a $60 million signing bonus.

Scott Boras, Soto's agent, reached out to the Bronx Bombers once the Mets went up to $765 million and they removed themselves from the bidding, per Sherman.

As much as it may not seem like it based on the final figures, money doesn't appear to have been the decisive factor in Soto's decision.

Passan speculated the four-time All-Star trusts the long-term direction of the Mets than he did the Yankees.

Sherman also reported the Toronto Blue Jays "were believed to be higher" than the Yankees' $712 million offer, yet they were consistently considered a "long shot." Two of Toronto's most notable players, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, are due to be free agents next winter, so the franchise's future is in flux.

For a lot of fans, it doesn't matter how close the Yankees got to the Mets' overall outlay. They only care that their favorite team lost out on Soto and now have to watch him suit up for the franchise that has played second fiddle to the Yanks for much of its history.

Granted, the San Diego Padres showed there can be life after Soto. After trading the star slugger last winter, they used the return to strengthen on the field and fuel blockbuster moves to come.

There's enough time for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to salvage this free agency period.

Taking the money that was earmarked for Soto and spending it on other players would go a long way toward cooling the angst that quickly grew in the wake of Sunday's news.

Should those moves fail to materialize, however, it could be a long year in the Bronx.

MLB Rumors: Anthony Santander Eyed By Yankees, More After Juan Soto's Mets Contract

Dec 9, 2024
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 02: Anthony Santander #25 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a single against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning of Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on October 02, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 02: Anthony Santander #25 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a single against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning of Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on October 02, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees are among the teams eyeing former Baltimore Orioles slugger Anthony Santander in free agency, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

Morosi reported on Monday that the Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays all have "strong interest" in Santander after missing out on Juan Soto.

On Sunday night, Soto signed a massive 15-year contract worth $765 million to join the New York Mets (via ESPN's Jeff Passan). The deal can be worth over $800 million with escalators.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post revealed on Friday that the Yankees already held discussions with the 30-year-old before losing their former star outfielder.

While Santander may not be able to replicate Soto's all-around impact, he's repeatedly showcased his power at the plate over the past few seasons and is coming off a breakout 2024 campaign.

In 155 appearances with the Orioles last season, he hit .235 with 44 home runs and 25 doubles to go along with 102 RBIs. Santander was named an All-Star for the first time, while his .814 OPS represented the highest mark of his career outside of the shortened 2020 season.

The switch-hitting right fielder has recorded at least 28 homers in each of the past three years and could form an imposing trio with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the heart of the Yankees' lineup.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported on Sunday that the Blue Jays prefer Santander over Teoscar Hernández, but they're interested in both players. The Red Sox are also targeting both, but they're reportedly focusing on Hernández over Santander.

Following Soto's decision to join the Mets on Sunday night, Santander shouldn't have trouble finding his future destination as one of the top remaining outfielders in free agency.

MLB Rumors: Red Sox Prefer Teoscar Hernández Over Anthony Santander Amid Yankees Buzz

Dec 9, 2024
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 30: Teoscar Hernández #37 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a two-run double in the fifth inning during Game 5 of the 2024 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 in New York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 30: Teoscar Hernández #37 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a two-run double in the fifth inning during Game 5 of the 2024 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 in New York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

WIth Juan Soto signing a massive 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, the rest of the outfield market is now very much open to business, with the Boston Red Sox reportedly eyeing one of the top remaining options.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported Monday that "according to sources, the Red Sox are said to prefer Teoscar Hernández to Anthony Santander, while the Toronto Blue Jays favor the switch-hitting Santander. The New York Yankees checked in on Hernández a couple of times early in the offseason, but a source called those talks 'very preliminary,' as the club was focused on retaining Soto."

Hernández, 32, was fantastic for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their run to a World Series title this past season, hitting .272 with 33 homers, 99 RBI, 84 runs, 12 stolen bases and a .840 OPS while playing both corner outfield spots.

Contrast that to the 30-year-old Santander, who hit .235 with 44 homers, 102 RBI, 91 runs, two stolen bases and a .814 OPS for the Baltimore Orioles in 2024, primarily operating as the team's everyday right-fielder.

Both players will be popular targets in free agency, though the Red Sox will be competing with the Dodgers in any pursuit of Hernández:

https://twitter.com/PeteAbe/status/1865831163429830834

The Red Sox have publicly said they would be spenders this winter as they look to improve upon 2024's disappointing 81-81 record.

"Even if it takes us over the CBT," team president and CEO Sam Kennedy told reporters in November. "Our priority is 90 to 95 wins, and winning the American League East, and winning the division for multiple years... There is an extreme urgency internally to be competing for the American League East Championship and to set ourselves up for a deep postseason run in 2025 without question. The goal is to win 90-plus games to not be worrying about a Wild Card spot."

The Red Sox have gone the last three seasons without a postseason berth. Signing a player like Hernández would be a strong indication that they plan on reversing that trend.

MLB Rumors: Yankees, Red Sox 'Heavy On' Max Fried amid Juan Soto, Mets Contract Buzz

Dec 9, 2024
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 31: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 31, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 31: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 31, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are both interested in free-agent starter Max Fried, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez.

Both New York and Boston have been "heavy on" Fried "for weeks now" and their pursuits haven't been tied to Juan Soto, per Gonzalez.

Soto agreed to join the New York Mets on a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract on Sunday night, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Yankees and Red Sox were reportedly among the teams vying for his services, but both will now look elsewhere in free agency.

Fried is a good place to start, although he appears to have been on the radar of the two organizations well before Soto's decision.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported on Sunday that the lefty is "expected" to sign with either the Yankees or Red Sox. His eventual contract is projected to exceed $200 million, via Nightengale.

The 30-year-old remained a key member of the Atlanta Braves rotation in 2024, earning the second All-Star nod of his career. In 29 starts, Fried compiled a record of 11-10 to go along with a 3.25 ERA.

While his average of 2.9 walks per nine innings represented the worst mark since his 2020 campaign, he also struck out 166 batters in 174.1 innings of work and continued to excel at forcing ground balls.

If Fried were to join the Yankees, he'd immediately form one of the top starting pitching duos in the majors alongside ace Gerrit Cole.

Boston doesn't boast a starter at the same level as Cole, allowing Fried to possibly headline a rotation that includes Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford.

Yankees Trolled by MLB Fans After Juan Soto's Rumored $765M Mets Free-Agent Contract

Dec 9, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 25: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees tosses his bat after drawing a walk in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game One of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 25: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees tosses his bat after drawing a walk in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game One of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees were unable to retain slugger Juan Soto in free agency, as he reportedly signed with the New York Mets on Sunday night.

Soto inked a massive 15-year, $765 million contract that can reach above $800 million with escalators to join the Mets, which represents the largest deal in professional sports history (via ESPN's Jeff Passan).

The Yankees made a strong effort to bring him back, as Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that they offered the star outfielder $760 million over 16 years.

It's a disappointing result for the Bronx Bombers after acquiring Soto in a blockbuster Dec. 2023 trade with the San Diego Padres, especially with the 26-year-old exceeding expectations in his lone year with the organization.

Fans called out the Yankees on social media.

https://twitter.com/BrightSideSox/status/1865958267077161256

In 157 games last season, Soto racked up a career-high 41 home runs to go along with 31 doubles and 109 RBIs while posting a .288/.419/.569 slash line.

He's expected to becoming an imposing part of a Mets lineup that also includes star shortstop Francisco Lindor and breakout third baseman Mark Vientos.

Meanwhile, the Yankees will now turn their attention elsewhere in free agency.

MLB Rumors: Juan Soto, Mets Agree to Record 15-Year, $765M Contract; Can Top $800M

Dec 9, 2024
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 07: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees in action during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on July 7, 2024 in New York City. The Red Sox won 3-0. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 07: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees in action during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on July 7, 2024 in New York City. The Red Sox won 3-0. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

Juan Soto's stay in the Bronx lasted just one year, as the superstar outfielder agreed to a deal with the New York Mets in free agency.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, Soto will sign a 15-year, $765 million contract to join the Mets, marking the largest contract in professional sports history. Passan added that the deal has no deferments and includes escalators that can reach above $800 million.

According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, Soto's contract includes an opt-out after the fifth year. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that if Soto opts out after five years, the Mets can void the move by raising his average annual value for the final 10 years of the deal.

When the New York Yankees acquired Soto from the San Diego Padres in December 2023, they were able to sign him to a one-year, $31 million deal to avoid arbitration.

General manager Brian Cashman was upfront even before spring training started that he didn't expect Soto to sign an extension before he could become a free agent after the 2024 campaign.

Given Soto's age and track record of success, he was in line to sign one of the richest contracts in MLB history. Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout are the only other players currently with deals worth more than $400 million.

Soto previously turned down a 15-year, $440 million extension with the Washington Nationals in 2022 that prompted the organization to trade him to San Diego. That contract would have been the richest in MLB history by total value at the time.

When you combine Soto wanting to maximize his negotiating leverage with Scott Boras being his agent, it would have been a surprise if the Yankees had been able to get him to sign a new contract ahead of free agency.

Soto only helped his market with how he performed in New York. The 26-year-old was voted to the AL All-Star team as a starter. He hit .288/.419/.569 with a career-high 41 homers.

The postseason only helped increase Soto's leverage, particularly his go-ahead homer in the 10th inning in Game 5 of the ALCS to send the Yankees to the World Series.

Since being called up to the big leagues as a 19-year-old in 2018, Soto has done nothing but hit. His career OPS+ of 160 is the 19th-best in MLB history. The only active players ahead of Soto in OPS+ are Mike Trout (173) and Aaron Judge (173).

Mets owner Steve Cohen has not hesitated to make big moves if he believes it will improve the team's chances of winning a World Series.

There have been times when that aggressiveness has backfired. The Mets traded Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer midway through the 2023 season because the team was struggling so badly.

Other times, it has worked to the Mets' benefit to have Cohen's deep wallet. There probably aren't a lot of fans in Queens who are upset that Francisco Lindor is the highest-paid shortstop in MLB right now.

While every deal of this magnitude contains some element of risk, it's hard to imagine this deal for Soto goes bad for the Mets any time soon. He's arguably the best hitter in all of baseball and should have several more years of high-level performance given his age.

The Mets were two wins away from reaching the World Series last season without a great lineup. They are much more formidable now with Lindor and Soto hitting at the top of the order as the club looks to get back to the postseason following their surprise run in 2024.

Yankees Rumors: Juan Soto 'Loves' Aaron Judge as NY's Leader amid Mets Contract Buzz

Dec 8, 2024
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees is congratulated by Juan Soto #22 after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of Game Five of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees is congratulated by Juan Soto #22 after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of Game Five of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

If the New York Yankees end up winning the Juan Soto sweepstakes this offseason, they could have Aaron Judge to thank.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Sunday that Judge is the "Yankees' edge" with "all things being equal" because Soto "loves" his fellow slugger in the lineup and as an overall leader. What's more, Judge doesn't mind if he is making less money than the free agent star in New York.

The desire to continue playing together appears to be mutual between Soto and Judge.

"Having a chance to have Juan hitting in front of me, I get to see a lot of pitches," Judge told reporters earlier this offseason. "He's going to be a tough at-bat in front of me. He's going to wear down the pitcher right there in the first inning, within the first 15 pitches or so. I think that was a big impact, having a guy like that in front of you. If I could have eight Juan Sotos in the lineup with me, I'd love that."

Judge is signed through the 2031 campaign and will make $40 million annually. That will surely be less than Soto if the latter does re-sign with New York, but, as Heyman noted, that doesn't matter to Judge.

"Honestly, it ain't my money," he said. "I really don't care, as long as we get the best players, we get the most that we can. I'm happy with whatever. That's never been something on my mind, about who gets paid the most."

It seems like Soto will be paid the most regardless of where he goes.

Heyman reported on Saturday that the Yankees and New York Mets increased their offers to the $710 million-$730 million range, which would be more than the heavily deferred $700 million deal Shohei Ohtani agreed to with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason.

According to Heyman, the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Dodgers are the other primary suitors who are still in the running, although "Soto won't necessarily take the exact highest bidder."

With the Yankees reportedly willing to pay him more than Ohtani got last offseason and the presence of someone like Judge to be protection in a lineup that will once again have World Series aspirations, it is difficult to see the Bronx Bombers as anything but favorites as the process unfolds.

That would give New York one of the best building blocks in the entire league at just 26 years old, and opposing pitchers would have to deal with quite the one-two punch for seasons to come.

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