Yankees sign other star players with Soto price too high

The San Diego Padres, it appears, are asking the moon for slugging outfielder Juan Soto — and the Yankees are prepared to wait until the price comes down to a small planet.

The Padres want top pitching prospects and the Yankees, who have several coveted arms, desperately need a left-handed bat with power. They also have the money to pay Soto.

But for now, it’s a game of San Diego chicken until the Padres get another offer.

In the meantime, Bob Nightengale of USA Today says “their No. 1 priority continues to be Japanese star [pitcher] Yoshinobu Yamamoto. They consider their stiffest competition for Yamamoto to be the Dodgers, although the Mets and Giants can’t be ruled out.”

Former GM Jim Bowden, writing for The Athletic, says, “while most are focusing on the Yankees and Mets in the Yamamoto sweepstakes … don’t sleep on the Cubs and Jed Hoyer, who has been very aggressive on several free agents, starting with Ohtani and Yamamoto.”

Follow along all day for the biggest updates. The newest ones are at the top.

Mets interested in Michael A. Taylor

The Mets have talked to free agent Michael A. Taylor, reports Andy Martino of SNY. This year with the Minnesota Twins, the veteran outfielder slashed 220/.278/.442 with 21 homers and 51 RBI. According to Martino, new Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns “values defense and versatility.”

Whit Merrifield’s preference

Three-time All-Star Whit Merrifield is a free agent this offseason. Even though he is not part of the upper tier of available players, his versatility will be valued because he has played six positions in his career. He told MLB Network he prefers second base, where he’s spent the majority of his career, but understands he could be asked to player other positions. Merrifield hit .272 with a 94 OPS+ last season.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto update

No, the Japanese ace has not signed … yet. But he will take a big step to getting a deal done. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Yamamoto is traveling to the United States within the week to meet in-person with interested teams, which will include the Mets. The 25-year-old has a career 1.72 ERA in seven NPB seasons. He has won the Sawamura Award, Japan’s Cy Young, for the past three seasons.