MLB Rumors: Yankees Would Make This Pivot If Juan Soto Signs Elsewhere

Juan Soto returning to the Yankees doesn’t seem like a sure thing, which is why New York seems to have its Plan B set.

Soto reportedly plans for his free-agent decision to come before Monday’s winter meetings. The 26-year-old took multiple meetings and offers from both New York clubs, the Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Multiple insiders seem to believe the Mets and Red Sox are the favorites with Toronto and Los Angeles as potential wild-card options. That doesn’t sound great for the Yankees, but according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, they have a swift back-up plan.

“According to sources, one of the options being considered is Willy Adames, who is drawing interest from the Yankees,” Feinsand wrote Wednesday.

Adames is the top shortstop on the market and is expected to build off his breakout season where he hit 32 home runs off a 118 OPS+ and stole 21 bases.

New York is high on Anthony Volpe, but the Bronx Bombers always could move him to second base. Adames also could play third base and move Jazz Chisholm Jr. to another spot.

Yankees fans probably wouldn’t be thrilled with the team signing Adames should they miss out on Soto, and it’s why they’re reportedly doing what it takes to make sure they don’t have to resort to Plan B.