The New York Yankees lost out on the biggest free agent to hit the market this winter. The most prominent international free agent available did not even have the Yankees in his top three destinations. Still, one former general manager said the Yankees are winners in the offseason. “The Yankees lost Soto to the Mets and yet have still had a better offseason than their cross-town rivals, thanks to an outstanding pivot by GM Brian Cashman and owner Hal Steinbrenner,” former Reds GM and current analyst Jim Bowden wrote in The Athletic

“They added to the top of their rotation by signing Max Fried, giving them the best starting pitching staff in the AL East. They traded for closer Devin Williams, who has the best changeup in the game and seriously strengthens the back of their bullpen. And, to replace the offense of Soto, they traded for outfielder Cody Bellinger and signed first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.”

Yankees fans might argue with that thinking after watching Soto bolt to the New York Mets and Japanese fireballer Roki Sasaki tell the Yankees “no thank you” in the first round of his cuts. There is also still the big question of who will play third or second base, with Jazz Chisholm, Jr. playing the other position. Also, there is no left-handed reliever in the bullpen at the moment.

Still, Bowden thinks are in a better spot heading into the season than last year. “One of the keys to the Yankees’ pivot is the potential upgrade of their team defense, as they now should be much better at second base (if Jazz Chisholm, Jr. moves there as expected), in center field (if Bellinger ends up playing there), in right field (with Aaron Judge moving there) and even at third base (if Oswaldo Cabrera can win the job with improved offense).”