The New York Yankees have non-tendered infielder Jon Berti, choosing to save $3.8 million and effectively signaling, “Thanks for your service, but we’ve got bigger plans.” It’s all part of the team's offseason strategy to hoard every penny they can for a potential Juan Soto spending spree.
Berti, 34, was brought in before the 2024 season to be the quintessential “do-it-all” guy. And to his credit, he did – when he wasn’t sidelined. A calf strain knocked him out for most of the summer, and a hip flexor issue ended his season before the Yankees’ playoff run. Admirable effort? Sure. Unlucky with injuries? Definitely. But this is New York, where sentiment takes a back seat to championship aspirations.
Let’s be clear: Berti was a good soldier. He hustled, played wherever the team needed him, and kept his head down. But at the end of the day, this off-season the Yankees are laser-focused on Soto. You don’t land a generational talent by pinching pennies on the big-ticket items; you do it by making the tough calls on smaller pieces like Berti.
It’s not personal – it’s business. The Yankees are looking to reshape their future with Soto, a left-handed bat so elite he could redefine the lineup. Soto is expensive. To afford that kind of game-changer, you cut costs wherever you can – even if it means saying goodbye to a guy who gave it his all. That's my opinion of course.
Stay tuned. The real fireworks are just getting started.
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