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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Standing on a soapbox before dozens of reporters, Scott Boras held court and delivered customary one-liners on Wednesday in Arizona.
Naturally, the agent discussed a number of his clients. But he also spoke on the Yankees and what their approach could look like this offseason after failing to make the playoffs in 2023.
“I watched an interview yesterday that said to me that they might be aggressive,” Boras said, poking a little fun at Brian Cashman’s unmeasured media scrum on Tuesday. “I’m not sure, I don’t know. I mean, look, they’ve got two top-five players in the game and they’re the New York Yankees, largest revenues in the game. Why wouldn’t they want to reward their fan base with New York Yankee conduct?”
While it would be bad business for Boras to rule out the Bombers as suitors for any of his clients, it remains to be seen what Yankee conduct will look like this winter considering the team has a ton of needs. Boras, meanwhile, reps a few players who could fill those holes. Here’s what he had to say about players that may make sense for the Yankees.
CODY BELLINGER
Bellinger dominated Boras’ media availability, as the former MVP is coming off a bounce-back year with the Cubs that saw him hit .307/.356/.525 with 26 homers, 97 RBI and 20 stolen bases.
Cashman, meanwhile, said the Yankees need two outfielders and left-handed bats this offseason. While there are concerns over Bellinger’s cost, injury history and underlying metrics — his exit velo, Barrel% and Hard-Hit% didn’t rank particularly well in 2023 — he checks those boxes. The former Dodger is also playoff-tested and still relatively young.
“You’ve got a five-tool player,” Boras insisted. “Obviously, in the years prior to coming to the Cubs, he had a partial performance due to just lack of strength. He had surgery, broken leg, all those things. But I think it’s pretty evident that when you have youth and you’re 28, you’re a rare free agent. You have a lot of options. But when he came to Chicago, he just feasted on major league pitching.”
Boras said that Bellinger has told him to “listen to everybody.” Asked directly if the Yankees have expressed interest in Bellinger, Boras said “there’s broad interest” in the slugger.
“Cody’s played in major markets,” Boras added, “so he just wants to play on a winning team.”
Boras later told the Daily News that Bellinger would be “comfortable” in New York, where his dad, Clay, played from 1999-2001.
Boras said that most teams are looking at Bellinger as a centerfielder, but he can also play first base. The agent also said that Bellinger had a “great experience” in Chicago, but it will take a sizeable payday for the Cubs to retain him.
“I think Chicago got the comforts of a full Belly,” Boras said. “So they’re going to have to loosen their belts to keep Bellinger.”
JUAN SOTO
Soto will be the prize of the offseason — if the Padres decide to trade him. However, Boras said that San Diego indicated otherwise when he met with the club.
“They laid out their plan for next year, which obviously included a lineup that definitely includes Juan Soto,” Boras said. “They’re obviously looking for more left-handed bats, rather than less. That’s for sure.
“Their ownership is highly committed to winning.”
Boras also downplayed a recent report from The Athletic that said the Padres took out a $50 million loan to help cover payroll. According to Boras, lots of teams take out loans; they just don’t always get reported.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean the implication that they are not financially adept or successful,” he said.
Either way, moving Soto would help the Padres pay for other needs, particularly in the pitching department. The young superstar, also a left-handed hitting outfielder, is projected to make a record-setting $33 million in arbitration this winter. He’s slated to then receive a megadeal in free agency next offseason.
Given the financial ramifications, the Yankees make sense as a Soto suitor.
JUNG HOO LEE
For those that don’t know, Lee is a lefty-hitting, Japanese centerfielder who has become a star in Korea. The 25-year-old is expected to make the transition to the majors this offseason.
Boras said that close to half the league has inquired about Lee, a .340 career hitter who hit 23 homers with 113 RBI two seasons ago. An ankle injury limited him to 86 games this past season.
“He can play defense,” Boras said. “He has power. I think Jung Hoo’s gonna bring K-pop to MLB.”
Boras also highlighted Lee’s bat-to-ball skills and low strikeout rate, which fell below 6% each of the last two seasons.
“To have that low strikeout rate and strike zone control really has created a lot of interests with teams,” Boras said.
Boras declined to say if Lee had any preferred markets or if the Yankees have expressed interest. He will hold a workout in the coming weeks so that teams can gauge his agility and health.
JORDAN MONTGOMERY
Could the Yankees reunite with Montgomery following his impressive postseason run?
Boras didn’t dismiss the idea, stating that “Jordan is taking all proposals from all teams.” While there’s no benefit in Boras dismissing a potential suitor, Cashman said that he wants to add pitching. However, Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto figures to be higher on the Yankees’ shopping list.
Boras added that he expects the pitching market to move quickly.
MATT CHAPMAN
Cashman noted that the Yankees have a surplus of infielders, including some younger players. However, if they want more of a sure thing at third base, few are better defensively than Chapman, who can also lengthen a lineup.
“When you think of bronze, you think of third. But when it comes to Chappy and third, you’re always gold,” Boras quipped. “As far as his bat, I’m not giving you lip service, but the Chap-stick really has a lot to do with the potentials and advances of a core lineup.”
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Gary Phillips
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