The New York Yankees have some big questions to answer this offseason regarding their 2025 roster. Trying to re-sign outfielder Juan Soto is the biggest of them all. If they're unsuccessful, could switch-hitting outfielder Anthony Santander be one of their backup plans?

Jon Heyman of the New York Post discussed potential alternatives to Soto if he signs with another team upon hitting free agency. Among several players he mentioned, Heyman said Santander "is another name that interests them."

The 30-year-old spent the first eight seasons of his big-league career with the Baltimore Orioles. He saved some of his best work for 2024. Santander hit .235/.308/.506 in 665 plate appearances. That was accompanied by career-high marks in home runs (44), RBI (102) and runs scored (91) while being named an All-Star for the first time.

According to Baseball-Reference, Soto's 2024 performance was worth 7.9 WAR. That's head-and-shoulders above what Santander produced - his WAR settled in at 2.9.

But if Soto doesn't re-sign with the Yankees, general manager Brian Cashman would theoretically have a lot of money to spend. Soto's contract predictions have gotten into the $600 million range. If the Bombers can't reel him in on a long-term deal, they could sign several players to plug multiple roster holes.

Santander would also cost a fraction of what they'd have to commit to Soto if he became a viable option for New York. Spotrac has estimated Santander's market value at five years and just above $88 million.

More MLB: Predicting Length, Value Of Free Agent Juan Soto's Enormous Contract

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