New York Yankees

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.

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe reflected on the team's 2024 World Series defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"I know we wouldn't have it any other way than we want to go up against the best, and they definitely proved it," Volpe said during an appearance on the Roommates Show (27:40 mark). "Just that motivation going into next year, knowing that we didn't play our best by any means, I think that's what made it so tough. Going to bed, having regrets because you want to go out there and obviously leave it all out there."

"You gotta work and use it to fuel you and to become better from it, because there's really no other alternative," he added.

The 23-year-old also discussed his admiration for legendary Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

"Growing up, big reason why I loved the Yankees, loved playing baseball was because of Derek Jeter," Volpe explained.

"All he did, the amount he won, what he did for the city," he said. "To be out there, it's so surreal. You obviously work so hard to help the team win, but you also know what it means to be a Yankee and what it means to be a Yankee shortstop."

Volpe wasn't able to build upon a promising rookie season, hitting just 12 home runs compared to 21 homers in 2023. His .666 OPS in his inaugural year also dipped to .657 in 2024.

Still, Volpe was named a Gold Glove finalist and helped the Yankees win their first American League pennant since the 2009 season. In 14 postseason appearances, he racked up three doubles and six RBIs to go along with a .286 batting average and .815 OPS.

As Volpe prepares for his third season in the majors, he's using New York's loss in the Fall Classic as fuel to help the Yankees return to the postseason and defend their AL East crown.

Rumors and speculation have been flying regarding the future destination of prized free-agent outfielder Juan Soto. However, it doesn't appear as if a decision is "imminent" quite yet.

SNY's Andy Martino reported the latest.

"Making calls around the league to report on the Juan Soto sweepstakes over the past few days, one hears terms like "final bidding" tossed around, and a general expectation is that Soto will choose his next team within a matter of days.

"But before you dive too breathlessly into that disinformation cesspool we call the internet, know that we are not there just yet. On Wednesday morning, a league source with direct knowledge of the process reiterated what agent Scott Boras said publicly on Tuesday evening: 'Nothing is imminent.'"

As far as news goes, bidding for Soto has surpassed $600 million, per Ken Rosenthal, Evan Drellich and Brendan Kuty of The Athletic.

Kuty also provided more insight:

Jack Curry of YES Network also had this to say on Dec. 2.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Nov. 27 that the Yankees had "upgraded their initial bid within the past couple of days."

Although a decision isn't "imminent," it does appear that Soto will make his decision sooner rather than later. ESPN's Alden Gonzalez had this to say.

"Juan Soto's much-hyped free agency is nearing its final stages, with a source familiar with the process opening the possibility that the star outfielder could pick his destination by the end of this week -- before the start of the annual winter meetings. The industry's agents and executives will descend upon Dallas this Sunday. Soto is widely expected to sign a record-breaking contract before they depart the following Thursday and could do so before they even arrive, an industry source told ESPN on Tuesday."

Five teams are in the running, as has been reported by multiple sources, including Randy Miller of NJ.com and Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Of those teams, the New York Mets are seen as the favorite, per The Athletic.

"The Mets are widely regarded as the favorite for Soto, with many in the industry believing the team's owner, Steve Cohen, will top any rival bid. But the Yankees desperately want to keep Soto as a complement to Judge, and the Red Sox have emerged as a surprising force in the negotiations. The Blue Jays and Dodgers are considered longer shots, though the Jays were willing to match the Dodgers' bid for Ohtani last offseason, and seem to be just as intently focused on Soto."

Ultimately, it doesn't seem as though a decision is imminent, but he'll apparently be making his decision sooner rather than later.

The New York Yankees could compete with at least seven other teams to sign pitcher Tommy Kahnle in free agency, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Kahnle, who was originally drafted by the Yankees but made his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies, returned to New York on a two-year deal ahead of the 2023 season.

He recorded a career-best 2.11 ERA through 50 appearances and 42.2 innings pitched in 2024 before playing a key bullpen role in the Yankees' run to the World Series.

Kahnle was the pitcher of record in an ALDS Game 3 win after pitching 1.1 scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals.

He later recorded a save in Game 4 of the ALCS when he held the Cleveland Guardians without a run in the ninth inning.

But Kahnle's postseason ended on a sour note. He recorded the Game 5 elimination loss in the World Series after allowing all three Los Angeles Dodgers batters faced on base in the eighth inning.

Kahnle, who turned 35 in August, has previously struggled with injuries and missed time with shoulder inflammation for a second straight season last spring.

His strong regular season and early postseason are still projected to earn him a two-year, $10.7 million deal in free agency by Spotrac.

The New York Post's Dan Martin previously reported that there is "interest from both sides on a potential reunion for Kahnle."

As noted by Martin, should Kahnle receive the multi-year deal projected by Spotrac, it would mark the first time this offseason a reliever has signed for more than one year.

There is also the possibility Kahnle would accept a discount in order to return to New York, as he reportedly did on his last deal. The Athletic's Chris Kirschner reported in January 2023 that Kahnle rejected a more lucrative offer from the Boston Red Sox in order to return to New York.

"I always loved being a Yankee. It just made sense to me to return," Kahnle told Kirschner at the time.

Other Yankees relievers hitting free agency include Tim Hill and Clay Holmes, who the Post's Joel Sherman reported could potentially transition to starter with another team in 2025. Betting on Kahnle's health and his ability to bounce back from the Game 5 loss could allow the Yankees to bolster a bullpen in need of staffing help this offseason should the club win out over other suitors in free agency.

The New York Yankees have "upgraded their initial bid" to star outfielder Juan Soto, according to The New York Post's Jon Heyman.

Heyman reported the Bronx Bombers "remain almost solely focused on Soto" and don't want to leave anything to chance with the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays in the hunt.

Heyman added that Soto's price could climb past $600 million and that the four-time All-Star is aiming to get a 15-year pact.

Some of the dominoes are beginning to fall in MLB free agency.

Starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi is headed to the Los Angeles Angels on a three-year deal reportedly worth $63 million. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell is signing with the Dodgers for five years and $182 million, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Ronald Blum of the Associated Press reported Tuesday that Scott Boras, Soto's agent, requested for any interested teams to have their initial offers made by Thanksgiving. A resolution could arrive around the MLB winter meetings, which get underway Dec. 8.

The Athletic's Brendan Kuty provided some additional context:

The Dodgers' pursuit of Snell could be somewhat instructive of their true desire to land Soto.

"The addition of a pitcher like Snell, then, was practically a necessity," The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal wrote Wednesday. "And while the Dodgers will remain in the mix for free-agent outfielder Juan Soto, if only to jack up the price for the other bidders, signing him was a longshot from the start."

Even if the reigning World Series champions are ultimately out, the Yankees could have stiff competition from within their own city. There's a sense Mets owner Steve Cohen will be prepared to top whatever offer another team puts on the table.

For fans in the Bronx, it's encouraging that the Yankees have already made some movement with Soto's representatives. But that won't count for much if he lands elsewhere.

The franchise's singular focus on the talented slugger could also backfire if it means ceding ground on other top free agents.

Superstar free-agent outfielder Juan Soto has reportedly received a contract offer from five teams so far this offseason.

According to NJ.com's Randy Miller and MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays have all submitted offers to Soto.

Soto is widely considered the biggest prize in MLB free agency this offseason after finishing third in the American League MVP voting and leading the Yankees to a World Series appearance last season.

Per Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, Soto is expected to receive "multiple rounds" of offers with the goal of gauging interest and weeding out candidates as the process moves forward.

Kuty added that the next round of offers could start next week, and a final decision could be made around the time of the winter meetings, which run from Dec. 9 through Dec. 12 in Dallas.

Last offseason, Shohei Ohtani set a new record for the richest contract in MLB history when he signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers.

That move paid instant dividends for the Dodgers, as he had the first season in MLB history with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, was named National League MVP and led L.A. to a World Series title.

While Soto would perhaps be hard-pressed to challenge Ohtani's contract since the Dodgers signed him to be both a hitter and starting pitcher moving forward, Soto still figures to land one of the biggest deals ever.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand wrote earlier this month that the "general consensus" is Soto will get a contract of $500 million over 10 years as the floor, although the value could reach $600 million or beyond if teams get into a bidding war.

It is fairly rare that a superstar as young as Soto becomes available in free agency, which will undoubtedly help drive interest.

Despite having just turned 26 last month, Soto is already a four-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger Award winner, one-time batting champion and one-time World Series champ.

After starring with the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres, the Yankees acquired him in a blockbuster trade with the Padres last offseason.

It was a risky move since the Yanks were acquiring a player on an expiring contract, but he proved to be a perfect fit in the Bronx, slashing .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs, 109 RBI and 128 runs scored.

Soto won a Silver Slugger Award and was a Gold Glove finalist, plus he was third in the MVP voting behind only teammate Aaron Judge and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt.

On top of that, Soto was arguably the Yankees' best player during their playoff run to the World Series, hitting .327 with four homers and nine RBI in 14 postseason games.

The Yankees can spend as much as any team, and they proved that last offseason when they signed Judge to a nine-year, $360 million deal that will likely result in him spending the rest of his career in pinstripes.

Soto is also now familiar with the Yankees organization and is well aware of how dominant of a tandem he and Judge can be in their lineup as well.

All of those factors could potentially give the Yankees a leg up on the competition, but the Dodgers and Mets have proved that they can spend just as big as the Yankees, so they have to be considered legitimate contenders as well.

The Red Sox and Blue Jays have not been as aggressive as the aforementioned teams lately when it comes to major signings, but they could perhaps be motivated to pay up for Soto, knowing that signing him would severely weaken an AL East rival in the Yankees.

As MLB free agency continues, one of the biggest names on the market could get closer to landing a new deal soon.

Per ESPN's Buster Olney, New York Yankees star free agent Juan Soto is expected to start receiving offers this week. According to Olney, Soto has spent the last few weeks meeting with teams and club officials, allowing both sides to get to know each other.

Soto had a tremendous season in his first year with the Yankees, hitting a career-high 41 home runs, 109 RBI, a .288 batting average and a .989 OPS. Alongside his New York co-star Aaron Judge, he helped lead the Yankees to the World Series where they fell short against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Soto had New York knocking on the door of a championship for the first time since 2009, which makes the Yankees eager to keep him in the Bronx. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported earlier this week that the Yankees' "desire" to bring back Soto "is most acute."

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said the team's first in-person meeting with Soto last week was "good" and said re-signing him is a "priority" but didn't give specifics about their conversation.

Amid the Yankees' push to retain Soto, a few other teams have joined the conversation as well. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported last week that Soto has met with the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. Feinsand also noted that Soto was expected to meet with the Los Angeles Dodgers last Tuesday.

The Philadelphia Phillies are another team reportedly in the mix, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

It's unsurprising to see teams flocking toward Soto this offseason, and it won't be surprising if he inks a historic deal later this offseason. Spotrac gives him a market value of $36.7 million per year and projects a contract worth more than $500 million over 14 years. Others have projected him to land a 13-year deal worth $600 million.

He proved his value last season and now the 26-year-old is heading toward a big payday.

The New York Yankees agreed to a one-year contract worth $5 million with outfielder Trent Grisham on Friday to avoid arbitration, according to ESPN's Jorge Castillo.

Per Castillo, Grisham can make an additional $250,000 in bonuses that are tied to plate appearances as part of the deal.

The Yankees are also still attempting to re-sign Juan Soto, as the team's meeting with the star outfielder on Monday went "very well" (via Jon Heyman of the New York Post).

Grisham and Soto both came to New York as part of the same blockbuster trade with the San Diego Padres in Dec. 2023. After spending the first season of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019, Grisham spent the next four years in San Diego prior to the deal.

He served as a bench piece for the Yankees last season and was primarily utilized for his defensive acumen despite his underwhelming production at the plate. Grisham hit .190 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs in 209 plate appearances to go along with a .675 OPS.

The two-time Gold Glove winner was on New York's postseason roster in each series throughout the team's American League pennant run, but he didn't suit up in a game after the regular season came to a close.

Regardless of Soto's free-agent decision, Grisham should continue to operate in a depth role among the Yankees' outfielders in 2025.

New York still appears to be a strong candidate to retain the four-time All-Star, especially after Monday's meeting. Heyman reported that Soto "felt better" about the Yankees as well as club owner owner Hal Steinbrenner following a "great pitch" from Steinbrenner.

With Grisham's future in New York secured for next season, the front office will continue its efforts to bring back Soto.

There is "mutual interest" between free agent pitcher Walker Buehler and the New York Yankees, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Buehler last saw the Yankees on Oct. 30, when he capped off his seventh season with the Los Angeles Dodgers by pitching the final three outs in a World Series-clinching Game 5 win at Yankee Stadium.

The 30-year-old pitcher, who made his comeback last season from 2022 Tommy John surgery, is projected to make $3.9 million on his next deal by Spotrac.

Buehler was one of the best pitchers in the NL in 2021, when he recorded a 2.47 ERA through 33 starts and 207.2 innings pitched.

The Dodgers were left uncertain he would be able to return to his previous dominance after undergoing the second UCL surgery of his career in August 2022.

Recovery from the surgery held Buehler out until May 6, when he pitched four innings in a win over the Miami Marlins.

After up-and-down performances through the 2024 season and his struggles in a NLDS Game 3 loss to the San Diego Padres, Buehler turned out to be a key piece of the Dodgers' run to the World Series.

Buehler held opponents to zero combined runs during his starts in a NLCS Game 3 win over the New York Mets and a World Series Game 3 win over the Dodgers.

Two days after his final start of the season, Buehler took the mound in the ninth inning of the World Series Game 5 and clinched the championship for the Dodgers.

Whichever team signs Buehler in free agency will hope he is able to build on the improvements he made to his pitches in the postseason as he works his way back toward the quality of his 2021 fastball.

Should Buehler join the Yankees he would slot into a rotation currently led by Gerrit Cole. Should the Yankees need to send a starting pitcher out in order to fit a free agency addition like Buehler onto the roster, Marcus Stroman could be a trade candidate after rookie Luis Gil replaced him in the rotation during the postseason.