NY Yankees

Yankees News: Cashman has big plans for Joey Gallo, one underrated shortstop free agent

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joey gallo, yankees

If the New York Yankees didn’t make a single move this off-season, they still have enough talent on the roster to be a competitive team. Unfortunately, some of their critical role players this past year struggled offensively, putting too much weight on the shoulders of the bullpen and starting rotation.

One player who vastly underperformed was Joey Gallo, who spent 58 games with the Yankees after being traded at the deadline from the Texas Rangers. The two-time All-Star posted a putrid .160 batting average, recording 13 homers and 22 RBIs. Offensively, he was extremely inconsistent and didn’t offer much as a contact option.

General manager Brian Cashman indicated that Gallo was capable of playing at a much higher level, and they are expecting that version of him in 2022.

“He didn’t play as well as he’s capable of playing,’’ Cashman said. “It’s not easy transferring from one city to another. It’s a new experience for him. I believe he’s very talented. Hopefully the two- or three-month experience with us benefits him as he enters his free-agency walk year.”

Cashman was vague about any concern regarding Gallo, but he is convinced we will see an elevated version of the lefty slugger moving forward after he settles into New York.

“I don’t want to say there’s a concern. I think you’re gonna see a much better version of him, but that’s not saying much. He hit .190 with us,” Cashman said of Gallo, who actually hit just .160 in 58 games. “He struggled by his admission … and fact. But he’s a threat every time up at the plate and I would bet we’ll see a much improved version of him next year for us. I feel very confident in saying that because he’s that talented. I expect him to be there, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Gallo is a superb defensive player, but his offense has been streaky at times, despite earning an All-Star appearance and Gold Glove award this past season. He recorded a career-high 111 walks and 213 strikeouts, an inconceivable number that plagued the Yankees’ batting order after the acquisition.

One underrated shortstop option for the Yankees:

Names like Corey Seager and Carlos Correa are the talk of the town at the moment, but one underrated shortstop option could be available for the Yankees and at a much cheaper price point. Marcus Semien, who is capable of playing shortstop, second base, and third base, would fit the stopgap usage the Bombers are looking to inject as they wait for several young prospects to climb the farm system.

Semien is 31-years-old, coming off an elite season where he hit .265 with 45 homers and 102 RBIs. He ranked third in MVP voting, made the All-Star team, and won Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. One of the more exciting attributes that Semien acquires is his clean bill of health, playing 162 games apiece in two of the last three seasons, one of which was the abbreviated 2020 campaign due to Covid.

Semien would offer a monster bat in the middle of the lineup but also the versatility to move infield positions when Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza are ready to take the next step.

Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman finally executes a trade, but not the one we hoped for

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nick nelson, yankees

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has been active at the GM meetings this week, but the only deal he was able to execute as of Friday night came in the form of two minor-league players from the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Yankees traded away right-handed pitcher Nick Nelson and catcher Donnie Sands in exchange for T.J. Rumfield and Joel Valdez, both of whom are 21 years old.

Rumfield made his professional debut with single-A Clearwater, batting .250 with 13 runs and seven RBIs in 27 games. Having been selected initially in the 12th round of the 2021 first-year player draft, Rumfield will join the Yankees’ farm system, where he will look to continue developing.

Valdez, who hosted a 1.63 ERA in 15 starts with the DSL Phillies Red this past season, will also join the Yankees’ minor-league system. The left-handed pitcher was 2–2 in two campaigns, recording one save in 26 appearances. He is primarily a starting pitcher, recording 19 starts over his past two seasons.

The Yankees parted way with Nick Nelson, who went 0–2 with an 8.79 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 11 appearances in 2021. Nelson has professional experience but struggled considerably when called upon, making him a liability at times. Philadelphia will look to develop him differently and hopefully extract some of the hype he garnered in the minors.

Sands, who featured with the double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre teams, hit .261 with 47 runs and 18 homers this past season over 94 games. Sands is a solid prospect, but at 25-years-old, he may serve a backup purpose down the line. He was initially picked in the eighth round of the 2015 first-year player draft.

Yankees’ Brian Cashman breaks down the team’s priority with free agency under way

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New York Yankees, Brian Cashman

The New York Yankees recently missed out on the Justin Verlander sweepstakes, as the Houston Astros swooped back in and secured his signature for one year, $25 million including incentives.

With Verlander taking his talents back to Houston, the Yankees have now wholly shifted their attention to the shortstop market, which is expected to be active in the coming days. Reports indicated that both Corey Seager and Marcus Semien could be picked up by December 1, when the lockout is expected to commence.

Cashman stated on Thursday night the team was focused on landing a big shortstop first and foremost, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com:

“We’ve played on pitching in the trade and free-agent market, but our focus is still trying to address the shortstop area more than anything else.”
The Yankees have a specific strategy in mind, signing a shortstop now who can eventually shift over to third base when Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza are able to take the leap forward. However, that plan may only work for a few free agents, notably Seager and Semien, who have experience moving around a bit and more flexibility with age.
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Carlos Correa, on the other hand, is a 10-year solution at SS, something the Yankees aren’t entirely in need of with their young prospects moving through the farm system at a brisk pace. However, if they have the opportunity to land Correa, management has already indicated they are more than happy to bring in a player of his caliber despite the cheating scandal.
With that being said, Seager makes the most sense for the team, given his lefty bat and the need for diversity in the hitting order. With Brett Gardner likely retiring, Seager can fill a massive vulnerability in the infield while adding a premium bat to the lineup that is reliable and has postseason experience.

Yankees battling with Astros as both pursue hot outfield free agent

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New York Mets interested in trading for Starling Marte.

The Yankees are hyper-focused on the short-stop market with Carlos Correa and Corey Seager preparing to sign long-term contracts, but I also have outfield support as a priority this off-season.

The Yankees have been connected to several players, notably in centerfield, given the injuries Aaron Hicks has sustained over the past few seasons. Hicks featured in just 32 games last year and 59 games in 2019, before the Covid abbreviated season. With his reliability in question, the Bombers are considering signing a free agent option, former Pittsburgh pirate and Oakland Athletics OF Starling Marte.

The Yankees have significant competition for Marte’s signature, as the Miami Marlins and Houston Astros are seeking a contract with the former All-Star.

The Yankees might be looking to spend big money at shortstop and settle on a more cost-efficient player in the outfield, but Marte is an intriguing player, posting a .310 batting average with 12 homers and 55 RBIs this past season over 120 games. Marte also posted a .458 slugging percentage and .841 OPS. Defensively, he recorded a .990 fielding percentage with 3 errors over 1022 innings.

Marte is seeking a contract in the 3–4 year range. Depending on the Yankees’ open checkbook, he could be looking for a deal worth $20+ million per season.

New York Post’s Joel Sherman predicted what a prospective contract would look like. Cashman may be willing to splash the cash for a long-term solution at centerfield, especially with Brett Gardner gone.

Teams will want to limit this to three years (through age-35). Marte will want four. Is the compromise a three-year, $60 million deal ($20 million average) with an option that makes it four at $72 million ($18 million average) if triggered? My guess is a team willing to go four guaranteed years wins this.

With Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, and Joey Gallo on the roster, there might not be a need for a lucrative free agent like Starling, especially since they expect Hicks to return to full health. There are alternative free agents on the market, including Nick Castellanos, Michael Conforto, etc.

However, if Cashman a serious about Marte, he’s going to have plenty of competition which may drive his price tag up.

Do you think the Yankee should sign Starling Marte as a solution in the outfield? Comment here!

Report: Yankees’ pursuit for elite free-agent shortstop has a caveat

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brian cashman, yankees

There is no question the New York Yankees will be active in the shortstop free-agent market, but there is a caveat for any potential deals that general manager Brian Cashman makes. While adding a star talent like Carlos Correa looks excellent on paper, despite the cheating scandals and negative comments about Derek Jeter, his main vulnerability is that he presents a long-term solution at shortstop and not a stop-gap.

According to The Daily News, the Yankees prefer to settle on a stop-gap instead of a long-term solution, which changes everything.

It appears the Yankees will not be the team to hand out that deal, multiple industry sources have told the Daily News. … Sources have told The News that the Yankees don’t want to commit that much money to a shortstop. … The Yankees are expected to turn their attention elsewhere. … The Yankees are apparently comfortable going with a stopgap defensive shortstop while they wait for (Anthony) Volpe and (Oswald) Peraza to reach the majors.

The Yankees have several shortstop prospects rising through their minor-league system, including Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza. If either are able to become elite players at the position, the Yankees will need to rethink their strategy with any free agent acquisitions this off-season.
The hope is that one of their young studs will be playing SS at a starting level by 2023, so they will need two years of supplementary play until they need to make adjustments.
With that being the case, a few alternative options make more sense if Cashman is still looking to spend big money. First and foremost, Corey Seager presents a great option, as he projects to move to third base in the future. He’s coming off a season where he posted a .306 average with 16 homers and 57 RBIs. He has endured health complications in the past but offers diversity with his lefty bat and quality defense.
Another option that could fit the bill is Marcus Semien, who is coming off an incredible season with the Toronto Blue Jays. Over 162 games, Semien recorded a .265 average with 45 homers and 102 RBIs, both career-highs. He earned an All-Star appearance, Golden Glove, and Silver Slugger awards at 30-years-old in 2021. One of the best aspects of Semien is that he hasn’t missed a game in three seasons, showcasing impeccable health.
Marcus has dabbled at third base in the past, also playing 147 games at second base this past season. The Yankees can move him around due to his flexibility in the future, making him a solid option if they want to go that route. He would likely be a bit cheaper than Seager or Correa.
Ultimately, Correa doesn’t fit the bill if the Yankees are looking for a stop-gap at shortstop since he is a bonafide star at the SS spot and likely wouldn’t take well to transitioning after just two seasons with the team.

Yankees News: Hal Steinbrenner hints at big offensive acquisitions, details why Aaron Boone was extended

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New York Yankees, Gary Sanchez

The New York Yankees are heading into an exciting off-season with money to spend. While they missed out on the Justin Verlander sweepstakes, electing to re-sign with the Houston Astros for $25 million over one season, there’s plenty of free-agent targets and potential trade prospects to consider in the coming weeks.

While pitching seems to be the team’s second priority, offensive efficiency is at the top of the list, something that Hal Steinbrenner stated at the owners’ meetings in Chicago.

The Yankees struggled on offense this past season, which was a primary reason for the downfall, as Steinbrenner said “the main cause of our problems this year was an inconsistent, underperforming offense.”

The Yankees ranked 23rd in batting average this past season and despite a roster loaded with sluggers, they landed at the 17th spot with a .407 slugging percentage. Their OPS sat at .729, good for 13th place in the league. Interestingly, they were unable to place in the top five in home runs, despite that being their ideology. That should give us a pretty clear indication the Bombers will be active in the market this off-season trying to acquire more fire-power.

The Yankees have dealt with significant injuries the past few seasons, which have dampened their production. However, when you’re spending as much money as the Steinbrenner‘s to field a great team, there are no excuses. With that being said, they are ready to open their checkbook once again and give general manager Brian Cashman the flexibility he needs to build a World Series caliber roster. That ultimately starts with solving the shortstop position with one of the top names on the market.

The New York Yankees extended Aaron Boone on a three-year contract as the team’s skipper:

Fans were ready to let Aaron Boone walk this off-season, but upper management views him as a piece to the puzzle that performed well enough to earn several more years with the team. Steinbrenner gave Boone a glowing review, hitting on his intelligence and incorporation of multiple streams of information to help build a winning roster — we are still waiting on the winning roster part.

“Aaron is one of the better managers in baseball,” Steinbrenner said Wednesday. “He’s extremely intelligent, he’s able to assimilate the tremendous amount of information we get from both analytical and pro scouting — we value each equally. He’s very well-balanced personality-wise, which is perfect for this place. And one of the main reasons is: The players want to play for him, they respect them, and they want to win for him, so it’s just not an issue for the players. It really wasn’t a tough decision for me.”

Report: Yankees could pursue star outfielder, but it would be a mistake

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byron buxton, yankees

The New York Yankees have been connected to a variety of potential trade partners, and the latest is Minnesota Twins star outfielder Byron Buxton. While general manager Brian Cashman has considered Starling Marte as a potential solution in centerfield, Buxton has elite potential, coming off a season when he recorded a .306 batting average with 19 homers and 32 RBIs.

The Twins could look to acquire significant assets in return for Buxton, who is just 27-years-old and coming off his best season as a professional. However, they are not completely sold on the concept due to the expected response of the fan base if he were to be moved.

Per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Dan Hayes:

Chairman Jim Pohlad, according to major-league sources, is reluctant to move Buxton, knowing such a decision potentially would upset a fan base tired of seeing the team part with homegrown stars. But the Twins have failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension with Buxton, their dynamic, yet oft-injured center fielder who is eligible for free agency after the 2022 season. … Before the Twins would move Buxton, they would want to make sure they are unable to reach an agreement with him on an extension. The parties continue to communicate, but have not made progress toward a deal, sources said.

Buxton is eligible for free agency in 2022, but his most prominent negative is his health history. Buxton played in just 61 games this past season, 39 in 2020, and 87 in 2019. He has only played over 92 games once in his career, back in 2017, which seems like it was 1 million years ago.

Aside from Buxton‘s incredible offensive performance in 2021, he was also an impeccable outfielder. He recorded a .994 fielding percentage with just one error over 509 innings. With elite speed, providing 71 stolen bases over the course of his career, the Yankees would undoubtedly love his talents in the lineup.

Buxton has a sprint speed of 30.9 ft./s, which is categorized as elite. Despite all of his positive attributes, the Yankees can’t afford to add another injury-prone player to their payroll, so they should avoid Buxton like the plague, turning their attention to trade targets like Matt Olson instead.

Yankees face daunting competition for Justin Verlander’s signature as talks heat up

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justin verlander, yankees

The New York Yankees are in the market for more starting pitching, in addition to a premium shortstop solution and potential first baseman. However, with Corey Kluber hitting the open market, general manager Brian Cashman is scouring free agency for a potential solution, and his answer might be former Ace Justin Verlander.

Verlander is coming off two seasons rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery, but he is still considered a fantastic player with gas left in the tank. At 37-years-old, Verlander hosted a bullpen session down in Florida at Eric Cressey’s facilities, the Yankees’ Director of Players Health and Performance. He reportedly approached 97 mph with his fastball, showing essential improvement.

However, while Cashman has his sights set on the former Houston Astro and Detroit Tiger, there are other teams entering the fold that could derail his pursuit.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Yankees have plenty of AL east competition for Justin Verlander, including the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox.

It is believed that Verlander wants to join a team that practices down in Florida for the most part, and the Yankees have facilities in Tampa. According to Rosenthal, Verlander intends to join an East Coast team preferably for that reason, so the Yankees stand out as a great option. Nonetheless, they will have competition with a Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, who are willing to spend this off-season and are looking to improve their starting pitching rotations.

If Cashman has the available funds to acquire a top shortstop like Corey Seager or Carlos Correa and bring in Verlander, he will overhaul two primary vulnerabilities on the roster.

It is essential to mention that Verlander’s last action came in 2019 when he recorded an impressive 2.58 ERA over 223 innings. He posted a 35.9% ground ball rate, 88.4% left on-base percentage, 12.11 strikeouts per nine, and 1.70 walks per nine, a stellar statistic. During his 2019 season, he was throwing his fastball 94.9 mph, slider 87.2, and mixing in a curveball, and change-up sporadically.

There’s a little doubt that Verlander would present a fantastic pairing with Gerrit Cole, who were teammates in Houston for quite some time. The Yankees seem to be leading the race for his signature, but it is vital to keep the other AL East teams in mind as we approach potential lockout on December 1.

Yankees could make surprise decision at first base, ignoring Olson/Rizzo sweepstakes

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yankees, dj lemahieu

The New York Yankees have been heavily connected to Oakland Athletics star first baseman Matt Olson, but that doesn’t guarantee general manager Brian Cashman will strike a deal. Of course, acquiring Olson would be a luxury, given he is coming off a season where he recorded a .271 average with 39 homers and 111 RBIs. He earned his first All-Star appearance in 2021, and given his lefty bat at Yankee Stadium, he could crack 40 homers for the first time in his career wearing pinstripes.

However, the Yankees might have a different plan in mind, as they have several versatile infielders who can move around if need be. Skipper Aaron Boone indicated that DJ LeMahieu, who signed a six-year, $90 million extension last off-season, could fill several vulnerabilities.

“DJ, I think, gives us the flexibility to make some more strategic [roster] moves, whether it’s free agency or a trade,’’ Aaron Boone said on Tuesday. “DJ is gonna be out there every day. He’s able to play third base, second base or even first base and you can kind of build the roster in that way.”

There’s also a possibility the Yankees bring back Anthony Rizzo on an extension. Rizzo secured a .249 average with eight homers and 21 RBIs in 49 games with the Yankees after being traded from the Chicago Cubs of the deadline.

Rizzo is a quality player with solid defense, but he is 31-years-old compared to Olson at 27. Cashman would have to part ways with significant talent, likely from their deep prospect pool, given Oakland wants to reduce the money off their books.

LeMahieu, who has plenty of experience at first base, spent 55 games there this past season, recording a .997 fielding percentage with just one error. LeMahieu is an above-average defender at most spots, and if the Yankees are looking to acquire a big-name shortstop, they can retain Gio Urshela at third base, Gleyber Torres at second, and move DJ permanently to first.

While this wouldn’t be the exciting move fans expect the Yankees to make, it makes sense given DJ’s success at first. It all really depends on how much the Steinbrenner’s are willing to spend this off-season and if Cashman can convince himself to part ways with a few key prospects.

Yankees News: Marcus Stroman attacks Yankee fans on Twitter, Aaron Hicks injury update

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yankees, New York Mets, Marcus Stroman

The New York Yankees have their focus set on free agency this off-season, but Mets starter Marcus Stroman continues to take shots at the team and their management style. On Tuesday, Stroman went after a few fans on Twitter and responded to Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker that he prefers to wear durags, dreads, and tattoos, a silent shot at the Yankees for their strict rules.

Stroman responded to several fans who shot back at the starter, and his words weren’t exactly civil.

You mad because that crazy payroll continues to let you down year after year? Get off my page and go communicate with the front office bitter boy.

Stroman spoke specifically about the Yankees’ payroll and how their ability to pay players monstrous deals hasn’t translated to wins. I hate to say it, but he isn’t wrong about that, considering the team hasn’t reached the World Series in over a decade despite having one of the highest payrolls in baseball year after year.

Yankees haven’t won a World Series since 2009. They routinely spend more than any other team and acquire the biggest names at every trade deadline. The way the spend and players they get should result in much more success than they’ve had…you don’t agree?
Brian Cashman and Stroman don’t exactly have the best history, which is why this exchange isn’t exactly surprising. Stroman is currently a free agent but could find his way back to Queens on an extension.

Aaron Hicks injury update:

Skipper Aaron Boone stated on Tuesday that Hicks could be in line to play Winter Ball if his left wrist continues to heal at a brisk pace:

“He’s in position to do that,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “As a matter of fact, he sent me some video of him in the cage the other day swinging and he feels great. I think he looks great and we’ll just see where we are in the next few weeks about the final sign-off on that.”

Hicks played in just 32 games this past season, recording a career-low .194 average. Offensively, Hicks hasn’t been very sturdy the past few years, but he offers a switch-hitting option that adds plenty of diversity to the batting order. In 2020, he recorded a career-high 19.4% walk rate, a tremendous number that indicates his patience at the plate. There is no doubt that Hicks has a solid eye, working up the pitch count and helping get starters out of the game prematurely. However, he hasn’t been reliable with his health, suffering a left wrist injury that forced him out for virtually the entire year.
The Yankees expect to have him available for 2022, but management made it apparent they are still looking for centerfield talent just in case they need a supplement. The team has Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Joey Gallo on the roster, so there is a solid chance Judge shits over to centerfield if Gallo isn’t included in a trade.