4 Yankees sluggers who might be off the team after 2024 season ft. Anthony Rizzo, Juan Soto and more
The New York Yankees lineup is a potential juggernaut, with Aaron Judge and Juan Soto leading the charge. However, while these two superstar sluggers are putting in a historic season, the rest of the lineup has not provided a solid supporting cast so far.
Therefore, there are a few Yankees batters who may not remain with the club after finishing their contracts at the end of the season.
4 Yankees sluggers who might be off the team after 2024 season
#4. Alex Verdugo, OF
Alex Verdugo was a surprise acquisition from the Boston Red Sox during the offseason and is set to become a free agent at the end of the year. Despite making a solid start to the 2024 season, Verdugo is having his worst campaign in terms of offensive production. He is presently batting .237/.296/.363 with an OPS+ of .83, hitting 12 home runs and 58 RBIs in over 135 games.
#3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Anthony Rizzo was traded to the Yankees in 2021 and signed a two-year, $32 million extension with the team the following year. However, injuries have limited his time on the field, while his offensive production has also diminished remarkably. Rizzo has an OPS+ of 77, having batted .220/.284/.333 in the 78 games he has played this season with eight home runs and 31 RBIs.
#2. Gleyber Torres, 2B
Gleyber Torres made his debut with the Yankees in 2018, and his seven-year stay in New York will probably come to a close at the end of this season. Torres signed a $14.2 million extension for 2024, but he is arguably having his worst campaign. He is currently batting .250/.328/.363 with 12 home runs and an OPS+ of 94, while also leading the MLB in errors among all second basemen.
#1. Juan Soto, OF
Juan Soto arrived in New York on a one-year, $31 million deal with the Yankees before reaching free agency. He is producing an MVP-caliber season so far, although his accomplishments have been somewhat overshadowed by Aaron Judge. Thus far, Soto has batted .292/.423/.582 with 38 home runs, 98 RBIs and an OPS+ of 180.
Despite having a stellar season with the Bronx Bombers, Soto is unlikely to remain with the team next year. He is expected to earn a record-breaking free agency contract for a position player this offseason. Therefore, the Yankees would likely need to come up with a competitive offer of over $500 million to keep him in the Bronx.