The third day of the MLB Winter Meetings is taking place in Nashville, Tennessee. During the second day, a flurry of rumors surfaced regarding Shohei Ohtani, who met with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Althoughthe Yankees have had their eye on him for some time, it appears that the possibility of him joining the Bronx team is remote for now.
In other news, the Yankees have acquired outfielder Alex Verdugo from the Red Sox. They have also expressed interest in pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Stay up to date on the latest news from the 2023 MLB Winter Meetings with live updates from Pinstripes Nation.
The Yankees did not announce any names on the third day of the Winter Meetings —9:30 p.m. EST
Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto remain in the mix as team executives wrap up the winter baseball meetings, which were marked by lengthy discussions and minimal action. Ohtani, the extraordinary two-way player, is on the verge of securing an unprecedented contract worth more than $500 million, and his agent, Nez Balelo, was notably absent from proceedings at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. While Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed a meeting with Ohtani at Dodger Stadium, other teams remained silent. Fans, eager for updates, used flight-tracking tools to monitor Ohtani’s movements, while Toronto general manager Ross Atkins fueled speculation about a possible meeting at the team’s spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, by moving a media appearance to Zoom on Monday.
Medical evaluation delays Juan Soto’s trade to the Yankees – 6:36 p.m. EST
MLB analyst Bryan Hoch reports that the delay in the Juan Soto trade stems from San Diego, where they are reviewing medical records and other information.
Juan Soto Trade Imminent: Yankees and Padres Close to Finalizing Details – 4:39 p.m. EST
Talks regarding the Juan Soto trade between the Padres and the Yankees are nearly complete, with only physicals and minor details remaining. Those involved in the negotiations indicate they expect the deal to close very soon. Once completed, the Yankees will acquire not only Juan Soto but also Trent Grisham, further strengthening their revamped starting outfield featuring Soto, Judge, and Verdugo.
The Yankees View Trent Grisham as a Key Piece in the Juan Soto Trade Proposal – 3:30 p.m. EST
In a potential trade for Juan Soto, Joel Sherman, a writer for The New York Post, anticipates that Trent Grisham will be part of the deal for the Yankees. Grisham is poised to take on the role of the team’s fourth outfielder, focusing specifically on late-game situations as a defensive replacement in center field.
Juan Soto is in talks with King, Thorpe, Vasquez, Brito, and Higashioka – 2:55 p.m. EST
In a potential trade for Juan Soto, the Yankees are reportedly considering parting ways with Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Randy Vasquez, Jhony Brito, and Kyle Higashioka, according to Jack Curry on Hot Stove. This proposed deal underscores the team’s strategic moves to secure the talented outfielder. Michael King’s pitching ability, combined with the promising prospects of Thorpe, Vasquez, and Brito, adds significant value to the package. Furthermore, the inclusion of Kyle Higashioka could address the Nationals’ needs. As negotiations unfold, this trade scenario reflects the Yankees’ determination to strengthen their roster with a standout player like Juan Soto.
Is Yamamoto heading to the Mets? – 2:11 p.m. EST
Mets owner Steve Cohen continues his proactive approach to acquiring top-tier starting pitchers on the free-agent market. He recently traveled to Japan to meet with Yoshinobu Yamamoto , a highly sought-after Japanese ace, who is expected to arrive in the United States to hold talks with several teams. Cohen, known for his hands-on approach, previously played a key role in recruiting top-tier players such as Francisco Lindor, who joined the team via a trade prior to the 2021 season. Yamamoto’s potential signing comes with a hefty price tag, exceeding $250 million and, according to some estimates, reaching a staggering $300 million.
Aaron Judge looks toward center field while Juan Soto whispers – 1:50 p.m. EST
According to the NY POST, The Yankees are considering a position change for Aaron Judge, looking at a move to center field if they acquire Juan Soto. After acquiring Alex Verdugo as a corner outfielder, the team is actively negotiating with the Padres for Soto. If the deal goes through, the Yankees are prepared to transition Judge from right field to center field, forming a formidable outfield with Verdugo and Soto in the corners. Manager Aaron Boone expressed openness to this change during the winter meetings, noting that Judge is receptive to the idea. The potential move would position Judge in center field for the upcoming 2024 season.
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