CBS Sports: The Yankees acquired a former No. 1 draft pick and 31-homer first baseman in a blockbuster deal.

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees four games to one in 2024, the team’s first World Series since 2009. The Yankees then fell to the New York Mets, their crosstown rival, about five weeks later while trying to retain the market’s top free agent, generational prospect Juan Soto.

Soto signed a one-year, $31 million contract with the Yankees in 2024. For the next 15 seasons, Soto will get an average of $51 million year from the Mets.

However, because to their extremely aggressive free agency spending, the Yankees have managed to transform what could have been a disappointing winter into what seems to be a success. According to the sports business website Spotrac, the Yankees have already spent $235.5 million on free agency commitments as of New Year’s Day, with 84 days left before Opening Day.

The Yankees signed former Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract, which covers the majority of that expenditure. However, the Yankees have also made some bold transactions, most notably the purchase of Cody Bellinger, a former MVP and National League Rookie of the Year.

Spencer Torkelson of the Tigers It might be costly.
Alex Bregman, the most well-known free agent currently unsigned, is a third baseman for the Houston Astros, and the Yankees are still interested in him. However, they are not favored to sign Bregman. What will the Bronx Bombers do next in their ongoing effort to recruit power hitters if they don’t?

The Detroit Tigers’ acquisition of former Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres reportedly caused a logjam in the infield, rendering at least one Tigers infielder expendable, according to a CBS Sports report. Spencer Torkelson, the first baseman, seems to be that infielder.

Five years ago, Torkelson was selected first overall in the baseball draft. How did he get up on the trading block? According to a scouting report at Arizona State University, he possesses “borderline elite raw power” that should enable him to hit at least 30 home runs in Major League Baseball, with a “possibility” of hitting 40 or more.

Following a lackluster rookie campaign in 2022, Torkelson played up to the hype in his sophomore campaign, hitting 31 home runs, including 11 at Comerica stadium, home of the Tigers, which Baseball Savant ranked as the 11th most difficult stadium to homer in.

The 25-year-old, who was born in Petaluma, California, then left the table. After failing to hit a home run until May 12, he began the 2024 season with such dismal hitting that he was demoted to the lower leagues on June 3. Only on August 17, when he collected two singles in a Tigers victory over the Yankees 4-0, did he make his big league comeback.

A Hot Corner Job in Transition for the Yankees
Torkelson was categorized by the Tigers as a third baseman rather than a first baseman when he was chosen. There is considerable uncertainty around the Yankees’ hot corner position. Jazz Chisolm Jr., the current occupant of the position, is expected to move to his natural position at second base now that Torres is gone, leaving third base available.