With Juan Soto no longer in the mix, the New York Yankees face the challenge of finding a suitable replacement for right field in the upcoming season. Their pursuit of a trade for former Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker fell short when Tucker was dealt to the Chicago Cubs. Now, the Yankees must shift their focus to another option that can provide both defensive reliability and a powerful offensive presence in the middle of the lineup.
According to Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller in a December 13 article, former Baltimore Orioles slugger Anthony Santander could be the ideal fit for the Yankees. Miller forecasts that Santander might sign a five-year, $100 million deal with New York, citing his consistent power-hitting ability as a major asset.
While Santander’s .307 career on-base percentage pales in comparison to Soto’s .419 mark, Miller emphasizes that the switch-hitting right fielder’s 44 home runs last season make him a standout candidate for the Yankees. He notes that Santander is no stranger to hitting for power, ranking among the league’s elite in home runs since the start of 2022. During that span, only Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso, and Matt Olson have hit more home runs than Santander’s impressive tally of 105.
Miller also highlights Santander’s potential to thrive at Yankee Stadium. In 2024, Santander hit three home runs there, and according to Baseball Savant, his home run count over the past three seasons could have been even higher—113 instead of 105—if he had played all his games at Yankee Stadium. This data underscores his suitability for the Yankees’ home field.
Adding Santander to the roster could solidify the Yankees’ lineup, potentially creating a formidable top seven alongside Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Austin Wells, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Anthony Volpe, and the highly anticipated Jasson DomÃnguez. Such a move would help mitigate the loss of Soto while bolstering the team’s offensive firepower.
To further enhance their offseason, Miller suggests that the Yankees could complement a Santander signing by acquiring Alex Bregman through free agency or trading for Cody Bellinger. These additional moves would demonstrate a bold and strategic approach to building a championship-caliber roster for the 2025 season.
In summary, Anthony Santander’s proven track record as a power hitter, combined with his potential to excel at Yankee Stadium, makes him a compelling option for the Yankees as they look to address their outfield needs and strengthen their lineup after Soto’s departure.
