Brian Cashman: 'No Retreat, No Surrender' for Yankees After Juan Soto's Mets Contract

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman suggested Wednesday that the organization is showing resolve in the face of adversity this offseason.

During an appearance on MLB Network, Cashman said the following when asked about the Yankees' mindset after losing outfielder Juan Soto to the New York Mets in free agency: "No retreat, no surrender. We'll get back after it, we want to get back to the World Series and try to win it."

Although the Yankees made a strong play to retain Soto, he ultimately signed a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets.

The Yanks already made their first post-Soto splash in free agency on Tuesday, signing starting pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

That move helped cement New York's rotation as one of the best in baseball with Fried joining Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, Nestor Cortés and Marcus Stroman.

However, the Yankees still have several holes to fill in a lineup currently headlined by Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Jazz Chisholm, Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells.

New York undoubtedly needs a first baseman and at least one outfielder, plus either a second baseman or third baseman depending on where manager Aaron Boone decides to play Chisholm.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported this week that the Yankees have shown interest in veteran free-agent first baseman Christian Walker, who hit a total of 95 home runs with the Arizona Diamondbacks over the past three seasons.

It was also reported last week by YES Network's Jack Curry (h/t SI.com's Joe Najarian) that the Yankees were potentially interested in a trade for Chicago Cubs outfielder and first baseman Cody Bellinger.

The biggest potential move the Yankees could make would be a trade for Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker, who is a three-time All-Star and a fifth-place finisher in the 2023 AL MVP voting.

Sherman reported the Yanks are interested in such a move, although the Astros would likely want the reigning American League Rookie of the Year in Gil as part of the trade.

As was the case with Soto when the Yankees acquired him from the San Diego Padres last offseason, Tucker has only one year remaining on his contract.

Although the Yankees only had Soto for one season, he finished third in the AL MVP voting by hitting .288 with 41 home runs and 109 RBI and helped lead New York to the World Series.

Tucker is a left-handed hitter who would be able to replace much of what Soto brought to the New York lineup, and acquiring him is a move that would go a long way toward taking away the sting associated with losing Soto.