Why the New York Yankees Must Acquire Juan Soto

Why the New York Yankees Must Acquire Juan Soto

A Growing Rumor

A rumor has arisen between the New York Yankees and Juan Soto in the past couple of hours. The two parties have been in rumored negotiations before, but there is concrete evidence that a trade could happen. The players the Yankees could be sending to San Diego are Michael King, Oswald Peraza, Everson Pereira, and Johnny Brito. From the outside looking in, this seems like a heavy price to pay, but this may be a steal. Among the players rumored in the trade, only Michael King would hurt the Yankees if he is sent away. He is a young arm with a nasty sweeper, a sinking fastball, a wipeout slider, and an effective changeup. King has ace-like potential, but at the cost of not acquiring Soto, it might be an unwise move.

What the Yankees Need Right Now

The Yankees desperately need a middle-of-the-order left-handed batter who can split Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Juan Soto perfectly fits the description as an elite left-handed batter with one of the game’s best strikeout rates. The Yankees need an elite lefty batter. Historically, there were multiple lefty batters whenever the Yankees were successful. Yankee Stadium favors lefty batters, so Juan Soto is a must.

Soto would be perfect with the short porch in right field, not to mention he is still young (25). If the Yankees acquired Soto, they would kill two birds with one stone. First, he is an exceptional lefty batter and, second, the everyday left-fielder. Last year, the team did not begin the season with a left fielder, which hurt the Yankees in the defensive column and at the plate. The Yankees should do everything possible to acquire the 25-year phenom, even if the price is high.

The Juan Soto Package

Why should the Yankees part ways with their number 3 prospect, an ace-like pitcher, a future piece in long relief, and the potential future left fielder?

Oswald Peraza is an elite defensive infielder with decent power at the plate. Despite being a player with a potential overall high ceiling, one thing is working against him. He is a right-handed batter and also a little too pull-happy at the plate. Of course, Peraza has the potential to improve since he is still young, but the Yankees should not work around his potential. They need proven talent now if they’re going to make the most of Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole’s prime years.

Michael King has ace-like stuff and would be the most significant piece in this potential trade. Unfortunately, he has already had a severe injury. He broke his elbow bone while pitching only one year ago, requiring reconstruction surgery. It was not Tommy John Surgery but could be a precursor to further arm troubles. As was seen with Luis Severino, Nestor Cortes Jr., and Carlos Rodòn this year, the Yankees need healthy arms that can last a major league season.

The Juan Soto Package Part 2

Everson Pereira had a breakout year in triple in 2023 but struggled upon arrival at the Major League level. He has all the tools to become a mainstay in left field for the Yankees. Like Peraza, he is also a right-handed batter with a high upside, but the Yankees cannot wait for Pereira to find himself. The Yankees have a closing window with the current crop of talent and need to act soon or lose everything.

Jhony Brito also has upside out of the bullpen with a high 90’s sinker and development of his changeup. This year, he was already looking very strong out of the bullpen, but he cannot hold up the deal for a generational talent.

Conclusion

The Yankees are in a must-win situation, with Cole and Judge aging daily. The team cannot bank on the belief both of their stars will age gracefully; this would be negligence. They must do everything to make the team as strong as possible. Acquiring Juan Soto would improve the Yankees, and the team would not be overpaying.