Yankees face stiff competition for their Juan Soto backup plan | Sporting News

It’s not just Juan Soto the New York Yankees will have to compete for this winter.

The Yankees’ Plan B in case they lose out on the free-agent slugger Juan Soto reportedly has them linked to former Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander.

Now, it looks like they will have to compete with the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays even for a backup plan. 

According to Bob Nightengale’s weekly column at USA Today, the Toronto Blue Jays are not only in the mix for Soto, but they too are interested in Santander as their Plan B. 

“They will have to make easily the highest offer if they’re successful in landing in Burnes or Fried, along with outfielder Anthony Santander, whom they badly covet,” Nightengale wrote. 

Santander is familiar to both the Yankees and Blue Jays as he has spent all eight of his big league seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, in the American League East. A 2024 All-Star, he clubbed 44 homers and had a .814 OPS last season. 

Santander has spent his entire eight-year career with the Baltimore Orioles and was an All-Star selection in 2024, hitting .235 with a .814 OPS, 44 home runs, and 102 RBI.

NJ Advance Media’s Bob Klapisch reported that the Yankees see Santander as part of their Plan B if they do not land Soto. 

“So prepare to say hello to the Plan B newcomers (Hal) Steinbrenner and GM Brian Cashman are quietly considering: ace Corbin Burnes, third baseman Alex Bregman, first baseman Christian Walker, and right fielder Anthony Santander,” Klapisch wrote.

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