Giancarlo Stanton’s Injury Update
The New York Yankees received positive news regarding Giancarlo Stanton’s injury status this week. Stanton, the Yankees’ designated hitter, has rejoined the team in Tampa for spring training after a period of absence. Bryan Hoch from MLB.com first reported Stanton’s return, which was initially mentioned by Brian Cashman. Despite his return, Stanton is not expected to participate in any spring games before the team returns to New York for the season. It was already known that Stanton would miss Opening Day, so his continued absence during spring training is not surprising. Fans were previously given no specific timeline for Stanton’s return to action, creating uncertainty about his recovery duration. His prolonged absence could have been a negative sign for his availability at the start of the season. Now that he is back with the team, there is a slightly improved outlook on his removal from baseball activities and potential return timeline compared to last week.
Gerrit Cole’s Injury Concerns
Gerrit Cole, a key player for the Yankees, is undergoing testing on his throwing elbow and will seek a second evaluation. The team hopes he won’t miss significant time. Brian Cashman has structured the team to prevent runs after losing Juan Soto from their lineup. Max Fried has been signed to an eight-year deal with the Yankees and is expected to fill in as the ace if Cole is out for the start of 2025. Fried has a career ERA of 3.07. Following Fried in the rotation are Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Marcus Stroman. The final rotation spot remains open with several candidates being considered during Spring Training. Will Warren is a strong candidate for a rotation spot due to his impressive performance this spring, allowing just one run across three appearances with 11 strikeouts and two walks over eight innings. Warren struggled last season but worked on his five-pitch arsenal during the offseason, showing improvement this spring. If Warren needs more time in Triple-A, Carlos Carrasco could be considered for the rotation. Carrasco was signed to a minor-league deal and has experience in MLB with a career ERA of 4.14. Carrasco’s recent performances have shown issues with walks despite preventing runs; he allowed four walks in his most recent outing. The Yankees’ rotation faces challenges without Cole and Luis Gil at the start of 2025, impacting Cashman’s plan for a dominant rotation. The team’s lineup isn’t as strong as it was in 2024; Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt do not replace Soto effectively, and there is a significant gap at third base. Cole’s second test results will be crucial for determining his availability in 2025; his presence or absence will significantly impact the team’s performance.
Juan Soto’s Signing Rumors
Multiple MLB teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and New York Mets, are interested in signing free-agent outfielder Juan Soto. Initially, it was expected that Soto would make his decision by the end of the MLB Winter Meetings and sign a contract in the second week of December. The New York Mets were initially seen as the frontrunners to sign Soto. Recent rumors suggest that Soto’s decision might come sooner than expected, possibly before or during the early days of the Winter Meetings in Texas. Senior MLB insider Jon Heyman believes that the Yankees now have a better chance of re-signing Soto than previously thought due to his positive experiences with their clubhouse and Aaron Judge. The Mets still have a chance to sign him, but their odds seem to be slipping compared to earlier expectations. The Boston Red Sox are actively involved in pursuing Soto, partly because Fenway Park is considered more favorable for his swing than Yankee Stadium. All teams mentioned still have a shot at signing Soto; however, recent developments have improved the Yankees’ chances significantly while maintaining strong competition from the Mets. A second round of offers will be made closer to the Winter Meetings, with Soto’s decision potentially just days away.
Potential Trades and Acquisitions
The Yankees have been rumored to be interested in trading for Nolan Arenado during spring training. A top MLB insider has recently downplayed the likelihood of this trade happening. Despite losing out on superstar outfielder Juan Soto to the New York Mets, the Yankees had a productive offseason with several key additions. The Yankees signed All-Star pitcher Max Fried to a record contract for a left-handed pitcher. They acquired elite closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers and traded for former NL MVP Cody Bellinger. Additionally, they signed former NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt to replace Anthony Rizzo at first base. There is still uncertainty at third base as Jazz Chisholm Jr. is expected to move from third to second base, leaving a gap at the position. DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, or Oswald Peraza are potential candidates to play third base in 2025. Rumors have linked the Yankees to a trade for Nolan Arenado, but ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan suggests it is unlikely. Arenado reportedly wants to be traded from St. Louis, and while the Cardinals are open to it, they seek the right price. The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are considered long shots for acquiring Arenado; instead, the Boston Red Sox appear as a more likely destination. If Arenado joins rivals like the Red Sox instead of landing in New York, it would disappoint Yankees fans. Teams pursuing Alex Bregman in free agency might pivot towards Arenado if Bregman becomes unavailable, potentially increasing Arenado’s asking price. If the Yankees do not act soon on acquiring Arenado, their chances diminish further once Bregman is off the market.
Conclusion
The New York Yankees have had an eventful week filled with injury updates, potential trades, and rumors about key players. With Giancarlo Stanton’s return to the team, there is hope for his recovery, while Gerrit Cole’s injury remains a concern. The Yankees are actively pursuing Juan Soto, and their chances of signing him have improved. However, the team faces challenges in their rotation and lineup, with potential trades for players like Nolan Arenado being uncertain. As the offseason progresses, the Yankees will need to make strategic decisions to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season.