The New York Yankees, after facing the disappointment of losing Juan Soto to their rivals, the New York Mets, have managed to strengthen their roster with strategic moves. Their approach, often referred to as Plan B, has focused primarily on enhancing their pitching staff. The team successfully signed left-handed starter Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract and traded for All-Star closer Devin Williams. They also bolstered their bullpen by acquiring high-strikeout reliever Fernando Cruz and re-signing Jonathan Loaisiga, a trusted high-leverage arm. Additionally, the Yankees added versatility to their lineup by signing veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and left-handed outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. These acquisitions have filled several key gaps, preventing the Yankees from allocating all of their resources into re-signing Soto.
Despite these moves, there are still a couple of areas the Yankees need to address to make their roster even more formidable. Two major objectives should top their holiday wishlist this season: adding a left-handed reliever and securing a solid option at second or third base.
First on the wishlist is reinforcing the bullpen with a lefty reliever. The Yankees saw Clay Holmes leave for the Mets, but they brought in Williams, Cruz, and Loaisiga, and they also have emerging right-hander Luke Weaver, who will return to his setup role after temporarily filling in as the closer in September. While the bullpen has been bolstered, the absence of a reliable left-handed option remains a concern. The Yankees would benefit from re-signing Tim Hill, who was a pleasant surprise last season. After being released by the Chicago White Sox in June, Hill was quickly picked up by the Yankees and made an immediate impact. In his 44 innings with New York, Hill posted an impressive 2.05 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. His performance in the postseason was even more remarkable, with a 1.08 ERA in 10 appearances. Reuniting with Hill makes perfect sense for both sides, especially since there have been reports of mutual interest between the two parties throughout the offseason. A one-year deal with an option could be an ideal arrangement for the Yankees, helping to solidify their bullpen and add depth to their relief corps.
The second priority for the Yankees is filling the hole in their infield, particularly at second or third base. While the outfield appears set with the addition of Bellinger and the presence of captain Aaron Judge, along with top prospect Jasson Dominguez, the infield remains an area of concern. The team appears to be set on giving Dominguez a regular role, either in center or left field, but a significant move is needed at second or third base to complete the roster. According to YES Network’s Jack Curry, the Yankees are not pursuing a trade for third baseman Nolan Arenado or a signing of Alex Bregman, two of the top players available for those positions. If the Yankees opt to keep Jazz Chisholm Jr. at third base, they will need to find a second baseman, either through trade or free agency. The team has already traded second base prospect Caleb Durbin as part of the Williams deal, and they seem unlikely to bring back Gleyber Torres.
Looking at the available free agents, options are limited. Players like Brendan Rodgers, Jorge Polanco, Whit Merrifield, and Adam Frazier are still on the market, but none present the same upside as Torres. Instead, the Yankees might explore a trade for Brendan Donovan, a talented second baseman with the St. Louis Cardinals. Donovan, who is under team control for three more years, would provide much-needed balance to the Yankees’ lineup with his left-handed bat. He enjoyed a solid season at the plate in 2024, slashing .278/.342/.417 with a .759 OPS, 14 home runs, 73 RBIs, and a 112 OPS+ in 153 games. Additionally, Donovan ranked ninth among all second basemen for his defensive prowess, with five Outs Above Average. Although acquiring Donovan via trade might be more costly than signing a free agent, his all-around contributions would be a significant upgrade at second base and a better fit for the Yankees compared to the remaining free agents.
In conclusion, while the Yankees have made substantial moves to improve their roster, including adding key pitchers and players like Bellinger and Goldschmidt, their Christmas wishlist should focus on two remaining priorities: strengthening the bullpen with a reliable left-handed reliever and addressing the infield by securing a second or third baseman. Re-signing Tim Hill would add depth and stability to the bullpen, while trading for Brendan Donovan could solidify the infield and add balance to the lineup. If the Yankees can successfully address these two areas, they will be in an excellent position to compete in the 2024 season.
