Juan Soto trade proves Yankees' 'willingness to go all in,’ Brian Cashman says

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Accomplishing one essential Winter Meetings aim, the Yankees changed their tune here in Music City.

Desperately needing to jazz up a dull lineup that ensured a fourth-place finish in 2023, GM Brian Cashman swung a trade for Juan Soto and dramatically altered the Yankees’ outlook for 2024.

“(We’re) significantly better, without a doubt,’’ Cashman said Thursday, a day after sending five players – led by starter Michael King – to the San Diego Padres for Soto and fellow outfielder Trent Grisham.

This will be “a tougher lineup to navigate,’’ one that better protects Aaron Judge, featuring “both balance and impact,’’ with the needed lefty-hitting additions of Soto and Alex Verdugo.

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In need of pitching – led by their desire to add free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto – the Yanks’ winter makeover isn’t complete, but an offensive fix was a necessary first step.

The "willingness to go all-in'' for Juan Soto

Last season’s playoff-less result demanded an impact response, and that meant adding to the Yankees’ already bloated payroll.

Soto could earn $33 million in his final arbitration-eligible year, with Grisham making about $5 million – pushing the Yankees near the $300 million range in 2024 salaries.

It wouldn’t make sense now to move Gleyber Torres (set to earn about $15 million in his free agent walk year), given the Yankees’ all-in approach.

And the payroll should climb from here, with the Yankees pursuing Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto for their rotation, and possibly one more starter, plus relief help.

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Cashman wouldn’t comment on the remaining budget for 2024 but praised owner Hal Steinbrenner’s “willingness to go all in’’ for upgrades.

“And I think we’re a better team for it now,’’ Cashman said.

Yankees' cost of doing business with San Diego

Cashman’s cost in pitching was significant, but the Yanks retained their most prized prospects for what could be a one-year rental.

“It hurt a lot on our end,’’ Cashman said of parting with King, prospect Drew Thorpe, and big-league ready right-hander Randy Vasquez and Jhony Brito. “But you have to give to get…one of the best hitters we have in the game today.’’

Soto is a free agent next winter, and Cashman hasn’t yet spoken with agent Scott Boras about an extension.

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And no one’s holding their breath on that.

It’s a strong bet that Boras takes Soto, 25, to free agency.

As Cashman acknowledged, “it’s a possible short-term situation.’’

Juan Soto as a one-year rental?

Even at the 5-for-2 trade price, this short-term situation isn’t a negative.

In Soto, the Yankees get a power-hitting, on-base force whose lefty swing at Yankee Stadium – where he owns a 1.219 OPS in 28 plate appearances – should be even more fearsome.

And at $33 million (estimated salary), with no commitments beyond 2024, the Yankees and Soto can learn if they’re truly made for each other, to the tune of, say, $500 million-plus over 12 years.

“We’re focused on the here and now,’’ Cashman said. “We’re very proud of the fact that we can call (Soto) a Yankee at this time, and with the full intentions of taking a shot at a title.’’

That’s all the reasoning needed. Extending Soto beyond 2024 is conversation for another day.

How the Juan Soto deal impacts Aaron Judge

By default, the trades for Verdugo and Soto have made Judge the Yankees’ opening day center fielder.

Judge is coming off torn ligaments in his right big toe, following a 2023 collision with the right field wall at Dodger Stadium, but “we think that issue is behind him,’’ Cashman said.

Through conversations with Cashman and manager Aaron Boone, Judge is on board with being the regular center fielder, with switch-hitting rookie Jasson Dominguez (elbow surgery) sidelined perhaps until July.

Cashman’s outfield seems set with Gold Glove finalist Verdugo in left and Soto in right, with Giancarlo Stanton mostly serving as designated hitter and the plus-defender Grisham off the bench.

The lefty-swinging Grisham, who has some power and base-stealing ability but batted under .200 the past two years, will serve as “a weapon as needed,’’ said Cashman, yielding to his manager’s judgment.

“(Boone) is going to make those calls,’’ said Cashman, having “elevated our outfield class significantly’’ in the past 48 hours.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Juan Soto trade proves Yankees are all in, Brian Cashman says