Did Yankees have shot at Juan Soto? Brian Cashman says no
The Padres' Juan Soto bats during the first inning of a game against the Rockies on Thursday in San Diego. Credit: AP/Gregory Bull
Juan Soto received a change of address Tuesday before the trade deadline, moving from Washington to San Diego in the blockbuster deal. It took a six-pack of players for the Padres to land the 23-year-old superstar outfielder and first baseman Josh Bell.
Question: Did the Yankees ever have a real shot at acquiring Soto? Apparently not.
Asked during an appearance on WFAN’s “Carton & Roberts” show Thursday if the discussions with his Nationals counterpart, Mike Rizzo, had gotten to the point where he thought it could happen, GM Brian Cashman said, “No. There was nothing coming out of the Washington operation that his best match was coming our way.”
Cashman added that Rizzo’s “heart and eyes were set on a certain few locations more so than others.”
The Yankees did trade for starter Frankie Montas, relievers Scott Effross and Lou Trivino and outfielders Harrison Bader and Andrew Benintendi.
Bader, who was acquired from St. Louis for starter Jordan Montgomery, came injured. He’s suffering from plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Cashman has said he hopes the 2021 NL Gold Glove centerfielder will be available sometime in September.
“He is an everyday player when healthy,” Cashman said.
But he added that Bader’s role when he’s ready could be based on the opposing pitcher, the ballpark and the state of his foot.
“There’s a lot of different ways that you can drive with him, which would be when we can unpack that present,” Cashman said. “It would be as a starter. It would be as somebody off the bench to steal you a bag. It would be as a defensive replacement.”
Philadelphia released former Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius Thursday. Cashman was noncommittal about any interest, saying, “We’re going to evaluate everything that’s available at all times.”
Cashman is in his 25th year as GM. He said he still likes what he does and will “try to do it as long as he can.” But he’s in the last year of his contract.
“Historically, the Yankees don’t do anything with anybody until the very end,” Cashman said. “So it’s been part of our practice.”
