New York Yankees- According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the New York Yankees are actively pursuing several free-agent first basemen as they look to upgrade a position that lacked consistency in 2023. The team has been in discussions with multiple targets, including Christian Walker, Pete Alonso, Carlos Santana, and Paul Goldschmidt, all of whom bring different strengths and price points to the table. One of the more notable ongoing conversations involves Cody Bellinger, with the Yankees continuing talks with the Cubs regarding a potential deal for the outfielder and first baseman. However, it’s the first base market where the Yankees are making more significant strides.

Christian Walker has been a primary target for the Yankees throughout the winter, but negotiations appear to have stalled due to his asking price. The Yankees are reportedly hesitant to meet Walker’s demand for a four-year deal, preferring instead to offer a shorter, 2-3 year contract. With both sides unable to reach an agreement, the Yankees have turned their attention to other options.

One of those is Pete Alonso, but the Mets’ slugger would come at a hefty price, both in terms of trade cost and salary, and his defense isn’t as reliable as Walker’s. This has led the Yankees to consider more affordable veterans like Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana.

Goldschmidt, the former MVP, offers a strong bat but is in the twilight of his career, and while he’d provide solid offense, his defense may not be as valuable as Walker’s. Santana, on the other hand, is an intriguing option due to his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively. As a switch-hitter with a solid 114 wRC+ last season, Santana could be an ideal fit for Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch. Additionally, his strong defensive metrics and ability to hit left-handed pitchers—an area where the Yankees struggled in 2023—make him an appealing choice. Santana’s leadership and veteran presence could also be valuable for the team’s young infielders, including Ben Rice, who is seen more as a backup option than a regular starter at this point.

The Yankees’ pursuit of a first baseman is driven by their need to solidify the position after a disappointing 2023 season, where they received a negative WAR from first base. Anthony Rizzo, DJ LeMahieu, and Ben Rice all failed to provide reliable offensive and defensive production, forcing GM Brian Cashman to search for a more stable option. While Walker has been their top target for much of the offseason, the Yankees have other avenues to explore.

In addition to free-agent options, the Yankees are also eyeing potential trade targets like Josh Naylor, Yandy Díaz, and Nathaniel Lowe. Adding a first baseman through a trade could allow the Yankees to keep their financial commitments manageable, freeing up resources to address other needs, such as bolstering the outfield or improving the middle infield. While it remains to be seen who the Yankees will ultimately land, it’s clear that upgrading first base is a priority for the team this offseason.