NFL
By Billy Lewis:
The New York Yankees entered their off-season hoping to re-sign Juan Soto to a mega deal. Soto turned down the Yankees 16-year $760 offer to head cross-town to the Mets. Brian Cashman had to go to work on Plan B for the off-season.
New York Yankees Sign Max Fried
Soto signed with the Mets on December 8th. Two days later the Yankees made their first pivot, signing lefty Max Fried to bolster their pitching rotation. Fried was one of the two top pitching free agents this off-season, with Corbin Burnes being the other. While Burnes is still not signed, Fried took an 8-year $218 million deal to take his talents to the Bronx.
Carlos Rodon has been inconsistent in his two seasons in pinstripes, albeit with an injury-riddled year one. Fried should slot behind Gerrit Cole in the Yankees rotation and help take some pressure off of Rodon.
The Yankees’ rotation was a strength last season and with a current rotation of Cole, Fried, Rodon, AL Rookie of the year Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt should be even better. They still have Marcus Stromas as a depth piece as well.
.@MaxFried32 ✍️ pic.twitter.com/XvJaiXCUEc
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 18, 2024
New York Yankees Trade for Devin Williams
The Yankees weren’t done bolstering their pitching. Their next big move helped fortify the bullpen. On December 13th the Yankees traded for Milwaukee Brewers Devin Williams. The Yankees sent minor league infielder Caleb Durbin and fan favorite Nestor Cortes to Milwaukee for Williams.
Durbin was a candidate to be the Opening Day second basemen and Nestor has been a force in the Yankees rotation. The Fried signing made Cortes expendable and the Yankees decided to solidify the back end of their bullpen.
After the World Series, it seemed like the Yankees’ closer for 2025 would be Luke Weaver. Weaver took over the closer role late in the season, and filled it excentlly. Williams has been an elite closer the past three seasons, and will look to lock down the games in the Bronx.
New York Yankees Trade for Cody Bellinger
The most recent move is one that will help the Yankees’ lineup. The Yankees and Chicago Cubs hooked up on a trade to send first basemen/outfielder Cody Bellinger to the Bronx. In return, the Cubs will receive pitcher Cody Poteet.
Bellinger will give the Yankees another lefty bat in their lineup and will help solidify the defense at whichever position he plays. Bellinger was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2017 and NL MVP in 2019. He has been a bit inconsistent since his MVP season but should be aided by Yankee Stadium’s short porch.
Bellinger isn’t a stranger to the Yankees. His dad, Clay, played for the Yankees for parts of three seasons from 1999-2001.
It should be safe to say the Yankees still are not done this offseason. Depending where Bellinger plays, the Yankees are still looking for either a first baseman or another outfielder.
Jazz Chisholm was their third baseman after they traded for him last July. However, Jazz could very easily slide back over to second base and the Yankees would still be in the market for a third baseman.
After reaching their first World Series since 2009, the Yankees are still looking to get over the hump to bring championship 28 to the Bronx.
