Yankees have Juan Soto priority at Winter Meetings — but still face other big questions

The Yankees arrive at the Winter Meetings on Sunday knowing priority Number Juan. 

The belief is Juan Soto will make his free-agency decision in the coming days, which will represent the largest domino of an offseason that has been stalled thus far.

The Yankees have taken meetings with free agents and made moves around the periphery of the 40-man roster, but they have held off on significant actions until knowing whether roughly $700 million will be committed to one of the most alluring free agents in MLB history. 

The Yankees tasted life with Soto for one year, which included a regular season that ended with a third-place finish in AL MVP voting, a memorable October in which Soto typically was the best player on the field and a run that finished three wins short of a championship.

This all occurred while Soto was in his age-25 season — just like Oswaldo Cabrera and Ben Rice. 

If Soto returns to The Bronx, Brian Cashman can celebrate, acknowledge the risk of trading for the walk-year superstar paid off and proceed with roster moves that would be tempered with the largest contract in baseball history on the books. 

If Soto chooses the Mets — or Red Sox, Blue Jays or Dodgers — the Yankees GM would need to pivot quickly and spread around his offseason budget.

The market has mostly waited for the conclusion of the Soto sweepstakes, with two nine-figure contracts (Blake Snell with the Dodgers and Willy Adames with the Giants, pending a physical) handed out thus far.

There are interesting and elite players available, but none can compare with Soto (and none contractually will compare with Soto). 

The meetings officially begin Monday at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, where the baseball world will descend for what looks to be an eventful few days — presuming Soto makes up his mind soon. 

The other major items of interest for the Yankees this week: 

What is Plan B? 

If Soto leaves — and leaves a seemingly impossible-to-fill void in the club’s lineup — the Yankees would be busy. 

The Yankees are waiting on one player but have many needs.

Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo reaching free agency means the club does not have a second baseman (or perhaps third baseman, if Jazz Chisholm Jr. moves over) or first baseman.

They would prefer Aaron Judge patrol a corner-outfield spot rather than center, his range and legs slowing last season.

They could upgrade in the rotation, which does not contain a true No. 2, and have bullpen needs. 

If the $700 million they had earmarked for Soto goes uncashed, could they turn to a combination of Alex Bregman, Christian Walker, Lane Thomas and Max Fried?

How about Pete Alonso, Cody Bellinger and Corbin Burnes? 

Of course, such additions would depend upon the question of: 

How high can the payroll go? 

Hal Steinbrenner repeatedly has said he does not believe a team needs to spend $300 million to compete for titles.

Last season the Yankees exceeded the highest luxury-tax level, outspending everyone but the Mets for a payroll of about $308 million, according to Spotrac. 

After many contracts expired, they have dipped below $200 million in commitments for 2025 — a number that will begin to inflate as salaries are added.

But will the Yankees again ignore the luxury-tax thresholds and pay sums that Steinbrenner is not comfortable with? 

“Year after year, payrolls similar to this year and the luxury taxes they produce are not sustainable, not feasible,” the club’s owner said last month, “and that’s the case for the vast majority of owners. Maybe all the owners. … It doesn’t mean in any given year I can’t do what I want to do.” 

The Yankees still could import large contracts and look to save elsewhere, which prompts the question: 

Will there be roster spots saved for the kids? 

Caleb Durbin is a “stud,” manager Aaron Boone said of a rising infielder who has been added to the 40-man roster.

Jasson Dominguez is still a highly valued prospect after an injury-filled season that never quite got going. 

The Yankees’ payroll would be easier to swallow if they are penciling in spots for low-cost but risky prospects who have not proven themselves at the highest stage yet. 

The pair would see clearer avenues toward consistent playing time if Soto returns, which would make splashes elsewhere less likely.

Durbin could be used at second or third, depending upon where Chisholm ends up, while Dominguez is an outfielder who came up through the system as a center fielder. Speaking of which: 

Is a center fielder needed? 

Last season was Judge’s worst defensively, and his center-field range is not likely to improve during his year-33 season.

He is better as a corner outfielder. 

Perhaps the Yankees could talk themselves into Dominguez or Trent Grisham getting the bulk of work in center.

Maybe they will defer to Judge, who prefers center field and surely would like to prove doubters wrong.

But there looks to be a need without a true answer on a free-agent market that is led by Harrison Bader.

This is why players such as Bellinger and Thomas, who are under contract for next season, could become options.