The New York Yankees are facing a tough situation after losing out on Juan Soto to their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets, who just secured him in a historic $765 million deal. With Soto off the table, the Yankees now have a significant hole in their lineup that needs to be addressed. However, this setback may open the door to a fresh opportunity: increased financial flexibility to make a series of moves to shore up other areas of the roster. While the Yankees are likely considering options for the infield, starting rotation, and bullpen, a new proposal from Peter Appel of Just Baseball suggests a blockbuster trade Adolis Garcíawith the Texas Rangers that could bring to New York.

García, a powerful outfielder who has proven to be an offensive force in the past, could provide a cost-effective solution. He is entering the second season of a two-year, $14 million contract with the Rangers and is under team control through 2026, with his final year eligible for arbitration. While he’s coming off a tough 2024 season, which saw his offensive production and defensive numbers drop significantly, García’s potential remains high. In 2023, he hit 39 home runs, earned an All-Star nod, received MVP votes, and won a Gold Glove, showcasing both his power and defensive skills. If the Yankees believe he can bounce back in their lineup, they could get him at a relatively low cost due to his down year.

Appel suggests that the Yankees might be able to buy low on García, noting that a trade for him last year would have cost far more. While García’s value has dipped following a subpar 2024 campaign, he’s still a proven power hitter with a strong track record, making him an attractive option for a Yankees team in need of offensive firepower. To land García, the Yankees would likely need to part with a significant prospect from their farm system, which has been thin in recent years.

One possible trade package could center around Spencer Jones, one of the Yankees’ top prospects, who has shown impressive power potential but struggled with consistency in the minors, particularly with his high strikeout rate. Appel suggests that if Jones is too much to give up, the Yankees could focus on Roderick Arias, a promising young shortstop, along with another lesser prospect to sweeten the deal.

After missing out on Soto, the Yankees will need to make moves this offseason to stay competitive in the American League East and improve their chances of returning to the World Series. A trade for García, if the Rangers are willing to part with him after his down year, could help fill the void left by Soto and provide the Yankees with another dynamic bat in the lineup. With a strong 2023 season still fresh in his memory and an affordable contract, García might be just the right fit for the Yankees as they look to reload for 2025.