B/R MLB Staff 2024 World Series Bracket Picks and Predictions for Dodgers vs. Yankees | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

This may not fit the spirit of the question, but saying anyone other than Juan Soto feels like overthinking. Every time he delivers a big hit, executives in Flushing and San Francisco (among other places) try to think about how they can make an offer that will lure Soto away from the Yankees.

Most importantly, it is no longer justifiable for the Yankees to let Soto walk in free agency, almost regardless of what the final offer is this winter.

Kerry Miller: Gleyber Torres

I wrote about the top 10 hitters of this free agency cycle earlier this week and pointed out that Torres went from a Spotrac preseason projection of seven years and $128.5 million to his current projection of just three years and $21 million.

However, I have to say that it really feels like their formula spits out this forecast in mid-August and it hasn't been reviewed since. Since August 21, Torres has gone 59-185 (.319) with a .390 OBP, six home runs and 37 runs scored in 44 games played. He will continue to serve as a table-setter for Soto, Judge and Stanton in the World Series, taking advantage of the short supply of available center fielders who are worth a lot.

However, if I'm right about Buehler pitching well again in Game 3, he's probably the right answer here.

Joel Reuter: Walker Buehler

Buehler was brilliant in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB 7 K) and Game 3 of the 2020 World Series (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K). . He's not the same pitcher he was during postseason runs, as he struggled to find consistency this year after undergoing Tommy John surgery. But it would be far from surprising if he clamped down again before his first foray into free agency and dropped a gem in the Fall Classic.

Zach Rymer: Teoscar Hernandez

Juan Soto is already anticipating a potential payday of $600 million this winter. What would be a few million more if he did well in this series?

Hernández has generally proven his earning power well this year, but he's been struggling since winning the Home Run Derby in July. He was cold as he hit 0 of 18 in the first five NLCS games before falling out again in Game 6 with two hits. He could make a lasting impression if he picks up where he left off.