By Adeniyi Precious 
The Yankees’ offseason started with a bang—Juan Soto signing with the Mets—then Brian Cashman responded by bringing in Max Fried, Devin Williams, and Cody Bellinger. But lately? It’s been crickets. Outside of a minor league deal for Dominic Smith, the Yankees haven’t done much this month.
Fans are starting to wonder: Is this roster strong enough to go all the way, especially against a juggernaut like the Dodgers? The lineup looks solid, but the infield and bullpen still need work. Let’s dive into the latest Yankees rumors and news.
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Yankees Facing Tough Competition for Tim Hill
Last year, Tim Hill went from being dumped by the worst team in MLB history to becoming a key piece of the Yankees’ bullpen. He posted a 2.05 ERA over 44 innings and was even better in the playoffs. Now, he’s a free agent—and a hot commodity.
According to reports, six teams, including the Mets, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Rockies, and Angels, are in the mix to sign Hill. The Yankees would love to bring him back, and there’s mutual interest. But with the team hesitant to spend, they could get outbid—bad news for a bullpen already lacking lefty options.
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Yankees’ Farm System Falling Behind
One reason the Dodgers stay dominant? A strong farm system. The Yankees? Not so much.
Jasson Dominguez is the team’s top prospect, ranked No. 22, but he’s expected to be a full-time big leaguer this year. After him, the farm system looks weak. George Lombard Jr. (No. 98) is promising but far from MLB-ready, and Spencer Jones, once a highly regarded prospect, had a disappointing 2024.
A thin farm system could hurt the Yankees in the near future—whether they need internal reinforcements or trade chips to make a big move.
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Don’t Count the Yankees Out on Nolan Arenado
The Yankees still need an infielder, and while Alex Bregman would be a dream signing, he’s likely too expensive. That’s why a trade for Nolan Arenado makes a lot of sense.
Arenado isn’t the MVP-caliber hitter he once was, but he’s still a solid bat and a Gold Glove defender. Adding him would allow Jazz Chisholm Jr. to move back to second base, where he’s more comfortable.
The big question: Would Arenado approve a trade to New York? Earlier this offseason, he vetoed a move to Houston, but with Paul Goldschmidt now in the Bronx, that could help sway him. Plus, if the Cardinals are desperate enough, the Yankees might even get St. Louis to eat part of his contract.
If the Yankees are serious about contending in 2025 without blowing past their budget, Arenado could be the perfect fit.
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Final Thoughts
The Yankees have a championship-caliber roster but still have some gaps to fill. Whether it’s re-signing Tim Hill, addressing their farm system issues, or making a splash with Arenado, there’s still work to do before Opening Day. Will Cashman make another big move, or is this the team heading into 2025? Stay tuned.