Negotiations between the Yankees and Padres surrounding Juan Soto continue to happen.
That in itself is very exciting.
It’s also terrifying when you consider Brian Cashman is at the forefront of said negotiations.
Assuming that idiot will do the right thing is beyond naive at this point.
Andy Martino has been on top of all tidbits leaking from these conversations.
He’s going to quickly find out that he’ll fail that mission.
While you definitely gain an inside track towards retaining him, there’s no assurance whatsoever.
That and the Padres public need to reduce payroll diminishes all of their leverage in these talks.
The Yankees won’t need to give up that crazy of a package to obtain Juan Soto.
He’ll come down…hopefully.
It’s not going to cost them for a one year rental.
There was fear from uninformed people who thought Dominguez was sure to go here.
That was never the case.
-I’d love to hang onto both Michael King and Clarke Schmidt.
Those are two pitchers who have proven themselves on the MLB level.
Schmidt overcame some early struggles last year to become the most consistent pitcher in the rotation behind Gerrit Cole.
He made eight starts to end the season and posted a 1.88 ERA over 38.1 IP.
He showcased front line starter ability in that window which obviously got everyone excited.
It makes perfect sense why the pitching hungry Padres want him in this trade.
Two years of control for King vs. one year of Soto makes it easier to swallow.
Also there’s always the risk with pitchers and their elbows.
If there’s one thing the Yankees have proven, it’s their ability to develop arms.
Lean on that strength and trade from it.
Doesn’t mean you have to trade King AND five other prospects.
All names after King and Schmidt though I wouldn’t even blink if they were in this deal.
This did not happen with Harper, Machado, or Seager.
They just let those guys walk as if they weren’t must have players.
Hopefully they’ve learned from their mistakes.
-The Yankees are currently negotiating against themselves and the timing of all this is interesting.
Do the Winter Meetings expedite talks next week?
Does Ohtani need to sign first to really get things moving?
Obviously San Diego wants as many suitors as possible to drive up the price.
That cannot happen this time around.
Be patient, but not too patient.
check that by all means Juan Soto is yours when this all said and done.
-I keep seeing people dismiss the notion of bringing in Soto with just one year of control left.
You cannot afford to sit, wait, and hope things get better on their own.
You must be aggressive.
The way to do it is adding Soto.
Without him you are not a contender as presently constructed.
You passed on a premier SS to hope Volpe was the guy immediately.
He’s going to take time.
Maybe 2024 is his offensive breakout?
That’d be great, but you’re free to’t bank on that.
Add Juan Soto’s bat to the lineup and greatly help this offense out.
I’m nervous because I don’t trust Brian Cashman at all.
It sucks to have a GM as incompetent and arrogant as he is.
Every Jeff Passan notification that pops up on my phone I greet with a terrified squint.
Don’t fuck this up Brian.
