MLB Breaking: Yankees are in talks to reunite with two-time AL Cy winner
It looks like the New York Yankees and Corey Kluber became fast friends during their one year together in 2021. Because now they want to reunite — even if the role is different now.
According to Newsday’s Erik Boland, Kluber, a two-time AL Cy Young winner, is discussing a “yet-to-be-defined advisory position” with the Yankees. It’s unclear if that would be on the coaching staff or within the front office. Kluber retired from his playing career Feb. 9. He lives near the Yankees’ spring training facility in Tampa, Florida, and visited the complex this week, Boland reported.
Kluber, 37, put together a stellar 13-season career, even as it was diminished by injuries when he reached his 30s. Overall, he had a 3.44 ERA in 1,641 2/3 career innings, and from 2013-18, the right-hander was among the best pitchers in the game with Cleveland: He went 94-50 with a 2.96 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 1,364 strikeouts in 1,238 2/3 innings. He won two Cy Young awards and received votes for three others in that span.
But a May 2019 injury would be a sign of hardship to come. Then, he fractured his right ulna on a line drive, forcing him to only pitch 35 2/3 innings. He was dealt to the Texas Rangers but pitched one inning because of a teres major muscle tear in his right shoulder.
Yankees’ Juan Soto Could be One and Done: ‘The odds are this is a one-year situation’
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman had several goals going into the 2024 off-season, one of which was reinforcing the outfield with a star lefty bat. Aside from acquiring Alex Verdugo from the Boston Red Sox, he managed to secure the services of Juan Soto, a Hall of Fame-level player who is just 25 years old.
The priority was finding talent with proven durability, and Soto has played a minimum of 151 games over the past three consecutive seasons. In fact, he played all 162 games last year, hitting .275/.410/.519, including a career-high 35 homers. He also tallied 109 RBIs, 12 stolen bases, an 18.2% strikeout rate, and an 18.6% walk rate.
Pairing him with Aaron Judge at the top of the Yankees’ batting order should produce substantial results, helping overturn a unit that struggled considerably in 2023.
High Stakes Acquisition
However, Cashman acquired Soto, knowing that the upcoming season could be a one-and-done scenario. Soto is entering the final year of arbitration, settling with the Yankees at $31 million, breaking an MLB record. However, Cashman downplayed the idea that the Yankees will manage to extend him before he hits free agency, especially since he’s a Scott Boras client.
“I don’t see too many things stopping him from reaching free agency.”
Cashman stated that the odds would indicate Soto is a one-year situation. Still, the expectation is that the Bombers will pursue him aggressively in free agency, even if it means handing out a $400 million contract. It is not often you stumble upon a 25-year-old superstar who represents one of the best hitters in baseball.
Yankees’ Future Financial Strategy
The Yankees signed Aaron Judge to a nine-year, $360 million deal last off-season, averaging $40 million per season, but the Dominican-born talent is expected to exceed those numbers by a fair margin. Soto could earn upward of $45 million on a 10-year deal, expiring at just 35 years old, three years younger than Josh Donaldson was last season.
Of course, to remain competitive and compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Yankees will have to spend their fair share, but that means leaning on some of their younger prospects to help keep costs down at other positions.
