The New York Yankees still have the best player in the city, MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa said minutes after Juan Soto agreed to a deal with the New York Mets.
The former major league infielder said that while Juan Soto is a phenomenal player, he is not as good as Aaron Judge.
“So you pivot, you got Gerrit Cole back, you go out and bring in guys like (free-agent first baseman) Christian Walker, (free-agent slugger) Pete Alonzo, (free-agent outfielder) Teoscar Hernandez, (free-agent outfielder Anthony) Santander. You go out and sign (starting pitcher) Max Fried. You go get a [reliever] Tanner Scott. The Yankees can be better without Juan Soto. I believe in my heart. you can be better.”
The Dominican outfielder Teoscar Hernández would be considering two historic and highly popular clubs as finalists for his signing in Major League Baseball (MLB). After Juan Soto exited free agency on Sunday night when his signing with the New York Mets was made official, Hernández climbed to the top among the best available outfielders in the winter market.
Hernández has repeatedly expressed his desire to renew his contract with the Dodgers, a team where he had a great season this year, culminating in a World Series victory after defeating the Yankees in five games. However, multiple sources also believe that the slugger from the Dominican Republic would be considering the Red Sox as his next destination.
It is no secret that Teoscar Hernández wants to play in Boston, as he has confirmed in the past, stating that Fenway Park is his favorite stadium in Major League Baseball. Adding to this the failed signing of Juan Soto with the Red Sox, Hernández could be the best alternative for the Massachusetts team.
“Bottom line is, and I do believe this in my heart, and this is no knock on one Soto, he is not Aaron Judge. He is not the best player on their team, DeRosa said on MLB Network.
Soto agreed to a historic $765 million, 15-year deal with the Mets after the Yankees offered him $760 over 16 years.
Like many other MLB pundits, DeRosa feels the Yankees can use the money not spent on Soto to fill the many holes they have on their roster. The Yankees need to add a power bat at first base and to figure out what they are going to do at second and third base. They need to rebuild the back of their bullpen and want to add another starter.
Before the contract between Soto and the Mets, Boston intended to pursue Teoscar Hernández if they did not sign “La Fiera.” However, the Yankees and Dodgers have also expressed serious interest in Hernández, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.
Hernández’s market will likely be very active after Soto made his final decision, securing a historic contract with the Mets worth 765 million dollars for 15 seasons, becoming the highest-paid baseball player of all time, surpassing Japanese Shohei Ohtani’s 700 million with the Dodgers.
