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Last offseason, the New York Yankees lost Juan Soto to the New York Mets. They proceeded to pivot and make a flurry of moves, including trading for Cody Bellinger.
Bellinger has an opt out in his contract and could elect free agency after the season. That might work out perfectly for the Yankees, as they would be able to go after Kyle Tucker. Tucker is expected to earn a 12-year, $533 million deal. However, if the Chicago Cubs find a way to extend him, FanSided’s Adam Weinrib believes the Yankees could pivot to spending to land Arizona Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen.
“The Yankees’ most blaring, glaring long-term need — with or without Tucker — is strong, ace-adjacent starting pitching,” wrote Weinrib. “Odds are, they’ll pursue Gallen, an east coaster, to some degree no matter what else the rest of their offseason looks like. If Tucker taking himself off the market increases their flexibility, they’ll go full bore.”
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Gallen is projected to sign a six-year, $138 million deal in free agency. He was an All-Star in 2023 and has a 3.32 career ERA. He has finished top 10 in Cy Young Award voting three times in his career and finished third in 2023.
The Diamondbacks just recently gave Corbin Burnes a lucrative contract and may not be able to keep Gallen around. He could be a great addition next to Gerrit Cole. A rotation led by Cole, Gallen and Luis Gil could be critical in the Yankees’ quest for their first World Series title since 2009.
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