The New York Yankees are adjusting their plans after losing out on Juan Soto, who chose to sign with the crosstown rival New York Mets. With Soto off the table, the Yankees are reallocating their resources and considering other high-impact acquisitions to bolster their roster.

Chris Kirschner of The Athletic suggests the Yankees could pivot their focus from offense to enhancing their already strong pitching staff. Among potential targets, Baltimore Orioles ace and four-time All-Star Corbin Burnes stands out. In a December 8, 2024, article, Kirschner emphasized how Burnes could transform the Yankees’ rotation into the most dominant in baseball. Pairing Burnes with Gerrit Cole would create a lethal 1-2 combination capable of handling even the toughest opponents. The potential rotation, including Cole, Burnes, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Rookie of the Year Luis Gil or Nestor Cortes, would be a formidable force.

Burnes, who has earned accolades such as a Cy Young Award and an ERA title, is set to command a significant contract. Projections from The Athletic’s Tim Britton estimate a seven-year, $217 million deal, while Spotrac suggests a six-year, $180.8 million agreement. Adding Burnes could also allow the Yankees to trade one of their current pitchers, such as Luis Gil or Nestor Cortes, to address gaps in the infield or outfield. Kirschner noted that trading Gil, whose value is high, could bring a valuable return.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Soto turned down the Yankees’ massive 16-year, $760 million offer to join the Mets. Despite increasing their bid from $712.5 million over 15 years, the Yankees couldn’t match the financial might of Mets owner Steve Cohen. As negotiations concluded, the Yankees were informed they had fallen short, leaving them to reevaluate their strategy for building a competitive roster.