Yankees named landing spot for $100 million switch-hitting slugger

The New York Yankees are right in the middle of the Juan Soto sweepstakes, but there are a number of potential replacement options if that falls through.

While Yankees fans don’t want to entertain the notion of Soto leaving The Bronx after he put together an MVP-caliber campaign in pinstripes, it’s no guarantee he will return.

Having a contingency plan in place would be wise while the Yankees go all in for Soto, and one of the top options comes from within the division.

In listing the top landing spots in free agency for Baltimore Orioles switch-hitting slugger Anthony Santander, Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report ranked New York as the sixth-best suitor on the list.

“The Yankees have checked in on Santander, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. He’d be a terrific fit at Yankee Stadium, as much of his power is channeled to right field as a lefty hitter,” Rymer wrote. “Mind you, Heyman also notes that Santander is merely a backup plan if the Yankees can’t retain Soto. This basically puts them in the same boat as the Mets, and the risk for both is that Santander will sign before Soto’s market is settled.”

The Yankees won’t be able to sign both Soto and Santander given their restraints against the luxury tax so they will have to hope that either Soto re-signs with the team or Santander waits until the Soto sweepstakes are over.

Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report projected Santander could receive a five-year, $101 million contract in free agency, which is certainly possible for the Yankees if Soto doesn’t return.

Santander is coming off a career season, which came at the perfect time as he hits free agency. The 30-year-old earned his first All-Star nod and posted career-high marks with 44 home runs and 102 RBI while his 134 OPS+ (34 percent better than league average) was a tick below his career-best 135 in 2020.

The Soto sweepstakes will take precedence, but the Yankees and Santander will continue to be linked until a move on either side is made.

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