The Yankees’ Juan Soto backup plan just fell into Brian Cashman’s lap thanks to the Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles made a splash on Saturday, signing Tyler O’Neill to a three-year, $49.5 million contract with an opt-out option after the 2025 season. That essentially ends the Anthony Santander era and paves the way for free agency -Fielder is offering a hefty salary and a new home stadium next season.

Santander should have his share of suitors after the best season of his career in Baltimore in which he slashed .255/.308/.506 with 44 homers and 102 RBI.

This is where the New York Yankees come into play. On the surface, Baltimore signing a quality hitter like O’Neill is a bad thing. This O’s offense is extremely explosive at its peak and O’Neill, when healthy, brings great momentum to the middle of any lineup. However, Baltimore will probably lose the better player – and in the process draw up a possible emergency plan for the Yankees.

New York, of course wants Juan Soto to re-sign, but the Mets, Red Sox and Blue Jays are all lurking. If Soto leaves the Yankees hanging, it will create a big hole in the outfield depth chart. Who better to fill this position than Santander, who is well-versed in the AL East landscape? A move to the Yankees would also give Santander the opportunity to put direct pressure on the O’s, who he will surely want revenge on.

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Again, the goal of Hal Steinbrenner, Brian Cashman and the Yankees is to re-sign Juan Soto. This is our top priority for the time being. However, if Soto leaves (or once does), Santander becomes the easiest backup plan. He’s a plug-and-play replacement in right field and the type of big hitter who can isolate and strengthen Aaron Judge in the heart of the Yankees lineup.

The benefits of signing with Santander are many. There are simple on-field advantages to adding the 30-year-old, but it’s also a chance to overtake Orioles with a direct hit across the bow. The Yankees occupy the American League’s most competitive division and things won’t get any easier next season with Boston and Toronto making such strong moves in free agency. Baltimore is also aggressive, as the O’Neill contract proves.

Giving back a piece of their own medicine by signing Santander should feel good – at least as good as the Yankees can feel about a Soto Plan B.

O’Neill was better per game last season but appeared in 113 games. Injuries have been a problem and have been throughout his career. Santander was a workhorse for the O’s, appearing in 155 games and anchoring a young, inexperienced team. If the Yankees are forced to scramble in a post-Soto world, worse outcomes are possible.

Rest assured that Cashman and the front office are keeping an eye on Santander just in case.