DALLAS — The Yankees were impressed with Max Fried’s courage during a recent Zoom session with club officials, a lengthy virtual chat that increased their interest in a hurler who fits well behind Gerrit Cole at the top of their rotation.

Fried was the first step in the Yankees’ Plan B pivot following Juan Soto’s decision to move the district from the Bronx to Queens, agreeing late Tuesday to an eight-year, $218 million contract, which would be their largest contract awarded to a left-handed pitcher. The contract is still pending and a formal announcement is expected in the coming days.

“He’s one of the really good pitchers in the game,” manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday as the Winter Meetings concluded at the Hilton Anatole. “He has a really good track record. He is a special talent.”

While Fried’s addition strengthens a rotation that the Yankees already viewed as a strength, general manager Brian Cashman intends to continue improving the roster in the coming weeks. The Yanks have cast a wide net for additional talent, with several free agent targets and trade discussions ongoing behind the scenes.

“It’s about preventing runs and creating runs,” Cashman said. “Our goal is always to bring together as many of the best and most talented baseball players as possible. Pitching is basically half of your roster, so there’s always a need and you can never have enough.”

The Yankees currently have at least seven starters, including Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt, who have drawn interest from players. Cashman said the Yanks are “open to all possibilities.”

“(Sasaki is) a big arm with a big desire to be great,” Cashman said. “His intention is to become one of the best pitchers in the world. We would be very happy to help make this possible.”

Outfield: Now that Soto has agreed to a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets, the Yankees plan to move American League MVP Aaron Judge back to right field, which Cashman says is a chance to win Top candidate Jasson Domínguez could open up playing time in midfield. Left field remains open, Alex Verdugo is now a free agent. The Yankees are among the clubs interested in trading Kyle Tucker from the Astros and have long been linked to Cody Bellinger of the Cubs. Teoscar Hernández and Jurickson Profar, both free agents, are also on the radar.

First base: The Yanks didn’t get much performance from a traditional position of power in 2024, something they want to rectify in the new year. While rookie Ben Rice would be the leading internal candidate, their free agent targets include Christian Walker, who turns 34 in March and has a track record of power and Gold Glove defense. There is currently no connection to Pete Alonso; Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana are also notable options on the free agent market.

Third base: While Boone said he would be “more than comfortable” with Jazz Chisholm Jr. at the hot corner in 2025, the Yanks could also add a more experienced third baseman and move Chisholm to second base. Alex Bregman, a free agent, has an enticing mix of power and defense. Bregman’s connection to the Astros in 2017 wouldn’t stop the Yankees from pursuing him, a source told MLB.com. The Cardinals are openly shopping Nolan Arenado, but the veteran has a full no-trade clause and must agree to any deal. Arenado’s agent, Joel Wolfe, said Tuesday that his client was looking for a winning situation.

Bullpen: The Bombers need to rebuild a relief corps that changed on the fly last season. Clay Holmes is now all over town hoping to crack the Mets’ rotation, and Tim Hill, Tommy Kahnle and Jonathan Loáisiga are all free agents. The Yanks staff continues to praise Tanner Scott, who they tried to acquire from the Marlins last July when he went to the Padres instead. Luke Weaver could return as a goalkeeper, but he could also be moved into a provider role.

The Yankees selected outfielder Luis Durango from the Guardians in the minor league phase of the 2024 Rule 5 Draft.

Durango, 21, batted .253 (145 of 574) with 118 runs, 18 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 47 RBIs, 68 walks and 87 stolen bases in 181 games in four seasons in Cleveland (2021-2021). 24).

Additionally, the Yankees lost five players in the minor league phase: the Reds selected left-hander Joel Valdez (first round), the Cardinals selected left-hander Oddanier Mosqueda (first round), and the Braves selected right-hander Blane Abeyta (first round). . ), the Pirates selected outfielder Joel Mendez (fifth round) and the Phillies selected right-hander Gabriel Barbosa (fifth round).

Cashman said he has no regrets about the outcome of the Soto Sweepstakes. The Yanks’ last offer was for $760 million over 16 years, a figure Cashman said was well beyond their comfort level. While retaining Soto was their top priority at the start of the winter, they recognized from day one that there was a possibility that his tenure with the Yankees could only last one season.

Instead, the club now faces the challenge and opportunity of reshaping the roster that ended a 15-year drought of World Series appearances last October. Cashman said managing partner Hal Steinbrenner has not set a hard salary cap for 2025, but is inviting all possible acquisitions to his desk.

“We want to improve the team and we feel really good about it. I’m not there yet,” Cashman said. “There was a lot of waiting until the winter meetings for the Soto decision. Now let’s carry on with what we always do. No retreat, no surrender. Just focus on the task at hand, which is finding the best players possible.”