NY Yankees

Yankees’ Aaron Boone ignores Carlos Correa hate, provides glowing endorsement

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New York Yankees, Aaron Boone

If there were any way a potential free-agent acquisition for the New York Yankees could plummet his stock, it would be to insult Derek Jeter. While fans are up in arms over Carlos Correa’s latest comments, indicating that Jeter didn’t deserve to win any of his five Gold Glove awards, management doesn’t seem phased by his words.

General manager Brian Cashman brushed off Correa’s statement, professing he is a talented player; the Yankees will be considering him this off-season as a potential solution at shortstop. However, Cashman wasn’t the only one to endorse Correa despite his ill-advised words.

Skipper Aaron Boone, who recently signed a three-year extension with the team, came to Correa’s defense, mentioning his development and that he is entering the prime of his career.

“Great player. I think he’s in the prime of his career, entering the prime of his career, and part of what is a very special shortstop class. He’s really developed into a leader with the Astros.”

The Yankees are heavily involved in the short-stop market, as they are also connected with Corey Seager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cashman could go a bevy of different directions, but Boone indicated that youngsters Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe will be playing a part in their decision.

“There’s no question that factors in because we do feel like with Peraza and Volpe, we have two future impact big-league players… That’s all part of the equation.”
If the team is hoping that Peraza and Volpe will be available to fill the shortstop position, Seager might be the more clear-cut option. Correa is a bonafide shortstop that likely wouldn’t take too well to transitioning to the hot corner in the future, but most believe Seager is willing to make that transition after a few seasons. If the Yankees want a player who’s a bit more flexible and adds a bit of diversity to the batting order, Seager is their guy.
Seager is coming off a season where he hit .306 with 16 homers and 57 RBIs over 95 games. As an above-average offensive and defensive player, the only concern is his health history. However, Correa also has his fair share of issues in that category, so Cashman would simply be picking the lesser of two evils.

Yankees: Carlos Correa takes shot at Derek Jeter for Gold Gloves he ‘didn’t deserve’

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derek jeter, carlos correa, yankees

As if the Yankees needed another reason to hate Carlos Correa after that cheating scandal with the Houston Astros, he proceeded to say how “Derek Jeter didn’t deserve any of the gold gloves he won.”

Correa is one of the top shortstops in baseball and is in line for a massive contract extension, which could possibly land with the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman. Cashman isn’t exactly the biggest fan of Jeter after years of turmoil, so Correa’s comments likely won’t impact his status within the organization. However, among the fans, he’s quickly losing stock or whatever he had left of it.

Correa finished the most recent season with a .279 batting average, 26 homers, and 92 RBIs. His career-low 18.1% strikeout rate and 26.3 offensive WAR would be a welcome sight for Yankee fans, despite his comments about one of the team’s most prolific players in its history.

Some might ask how Yankee fans can still want Correa after what he said about Jeter? Ultimately it boils down to production. Jeter is a thing of the past, and while beloved by every fan, Correa could be the missing piece to a World Series appearance, which would erase any ill feelings toward the Astros star.

Of course, the team has plenty of options at shortstop this off-season, including Corey Seager, who would be a solid acquisition given his lefty bat and ability to translate to third base. Eventually, the Yankees want to elevate Anthony Volpe to take over SS full-time, and Seager can move to that hot corner, where they can maximize his skill set without any bad blood.

However, with a potential lockout impending, the Yankees might make a move sooner rather than later, prior to December 1. The expectation is that both Seager and Marcus Semien will sign before that date, but Correa could wait until after the lockout finishes to sign a monster deal.

Yankees could replace Corey Kluber with another oft-injured ace

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justin verlander, yankees

The New York Yankees are gearing up for an exciting off-season, and while signing a star shortstop and a potential trade for Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson have plastered the headlines, general manager Brian Cashman is making some low-key moves.

The Yankees recently attended veteran starting pitcher Justin Verlander‘s workout as he rehabilitates from elbow surgery. Verlander hasn’t pitched since 2019, tossing 223 innings and recording a 2.54 ERA with the Houston Astros. During his bullpen session, reports indicated that Verlander hit close to 97 mph with his fastball, despite averaging 94.4 mph over the course of his career. His highest velocity was 95.6 back in 2009 with Detroit.

If the Yankees did bring him in on a short-term contract, it would be similar to how they viewed Corey Kluber, a veteran coming off injury who could produce at a starter level. However, there is a significant difference between Kluber and Verlander, and that is mentality and overall quality.

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The Astros’ former ace would be a dangerous pairing with Gerrit Cole at the top of the starting rotation, and with his high strikeout rates and low walk percentages, he would be an incredible addition if he can remain healthy at 38-years-old.

Verlander is coming off a contract paying him $66M over two years, but considering they were injury-riddled, he might settle for a deal in the $16-20 million per season range, if not less.

The Yankees can activate the trade market to find a supplement in the starting rotation after losing Andrew Heaney this off-season, but Verlander offers a potential elite talent who will likely dominate when active. Cole would appreciate his skills, given he’s played with him in the past and knows he can rely on him to sustain excellence on a weekly basis.

In the case the Yankees do land Verlander, they would also have Luis Severino, Domingo German, Jordan Montgomery, and Jameson Taillon as their primary starters. Injuries have plagued this rotation in the past, and adding a starter coming off two years rehabilitating doesn’t exactly scream reliability. However, that has been Cashman’s strategy, and if it pans out, which we say every year, the Bombers would be sitting pretty.

What do you think of the prospect of signing Verlander? Comment here!

Report: Yankees settle on former Mets skipper as new third base coach

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yankees, New York Mets, Luis Rojas

After firing Phil Nevins after the conclusion of the 2021 season, the New York Yankees began the search for a new third-base coach. Extending Skipper Aaron Boone was a priority, and obviously, he was heavily involved in selecting his new assistants.

The Yankees announced on Monday afternoon they had settled on former Mets skipper Luis Rojas as their next third base coach.

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Per the Yankees PR team:

Rojas, 40, joins the Yankees’ Major League staff after spending the last 16 years with the New York Mets organization (2006-21), including the last two seasons as the club’s manager (2020-21). During that span, the Mets went 103-119 (.464) in 222 games.

Rojas was the sixth Dominican-born manager in Major League history. His father, Felipe Alou, was the first when he managed the Montreal Expos (1992-2001) and San Francisco Giants (2003-06) after his 17-season Major League career. Luis and Felipe were the sixth father-son duo to both serve as Major League managers, joining Buddy and David Bell, Aaron and Bob Boone, Connie and Earle Mack, George and Dick Sisler, and Bob and Joel Skinner. His brother, Moises Alou, also played 17 seasons in the Majors with seven different teams.

Rojas was integral in the Mets’ player development process and club-house culture, spending 16 years with the organization. Unfortunately, his time as a manager was cut short due to poor performances in the last two seasons. Injuries plagued the Mets’ pitching rotation last season, and Rojas was unfortunately unable to supplement losses with the talent on hand.

However, Rojas is a baseball-first coach and will bring plenty of essential experience with him to the Bronx.

What do you think of the new hire? Comment here!

Report: Yankees meet with elite free agent first-baseman, could they offer a monster deal?

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freddie freeman, yankees

The New York Yankees are doing their due diligence with all the top lefty free agent and trade candidates at first base. While there’s still potential general manager Brian Cashman will retain Anthony Rizzo on an extension, the Yankees have been thoroughly engaged in potential trade talks with the Oakland Athletics for Matt Olson.

However, a surprise target has entered the fold, Atlanta Braves star infielder Freddie Freeman. While the Braves are keen on retaining him after winning the World Series, Freeman is seeking a deal that could range from 5 to 6 years and $135-200M.

If Freeman seeking a long-term deal at that price tag, which he is, the Braves may be forced to let him walk.

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The Yankees could target Freeman, but they’d have to settle elsewhere:

Freeman is coming off an elite season with Atlanta, hitting .300 with 31 homers and 83 RBIs. He also contributed 120 runs and a 14.1% strikeout rate. Freeman is the gold standard at first base, contributing solid defense and an elite bat.

At Yankee Stadium, he’s a candidate to hit 40 home runs with a short right porch. He contributed 122 singles, 25 doubles, and two triples this past season, recording a 45.7% hard-hit rate. At 32-years-old, Freeman is hitting his stride and will likely continue raking at 6’5″ and 220 pounds.

Considering Freeman as a free agent, the Yankees wouldn’t have to deal any players to Atlanta in exchange. There’s no question he will earn a monster contract paying him upward of $30 million per season, but he is worth every penny when looking at his reliability in the health department and production in both the regular and postseason. The problem is, the Bombers are already on the hook for multiple big-money players and a mega-deal for Aaron Judge waiting in the wings. They likely can’t afford to sign a premium first baseman and top shortstop.

Do you think the Yankees should go after Freddie Freeman? Why or why not? Comment here!

Report: Yankees preparing for exciting and aggressive free agency

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brian cashman, yankees

With the World Series coming to an end, the New York Yankees are gearing up for a vital winter where they can solve multiple problems on the roster. Unfortunately, after the Gleyber Torres experiment at shortstop failed, they will have to be active in the market to find a supplement and solution for the future.

While the team is optimistic that prospect Anthony Volpe will take a big step forward and make his way to the MLB in the next two seasons, they aren’t going to sit back and wait. With Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, and Trevor Story all available this off-season, expect general manager Brian Cashman to be aggressive, as one former GM expects activity from the Yankees.

ESPN’s Jim Bowden expects the Yankees to be aggressive in free agency:

After a year of limiting their spending, the expectation is that the Yankees will land a shortstop, and that will likely be either Seager or Correa — perhaps with the intention of eventually shifting that player to another spot. New York’s top prospect, shortstop Anthony Volpe, is expected to graduate to the big leagues sometime in the next two seasons. There is a lot of sentiment that Seager will need to move to another spot sooner rather than later over the course of a long-term deal.

If the Yankees land either Correa or Seager, they will be in a much better position moving forward post-Torres. Both are far and away better defensive players and offer consistent offensive capabilities but vary in different categories. Correa is a big weapon capable of hitting for power and contact, while Seager features a lefty bat that could be beneficial in Yankee Stadium with the short right porch.

With Seager, it is entirely possible he moves to third base at some point, which would make way for Volpe at shortstop. However, expect the Yankees to continue their storied history of spending to acquire star players, which is essential at this point given the lack of elite prospect development.

Yankees shifting attention to star shortstop after World Series comes to an end

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carlos correa, yankees

With the Atlanta Braves officially winning the World Series, the New York Yankees now shift their attention to the off-season free-agent market. With several high-profile options available, general manager Brian Cashman has some thinking to do.

Spending an exorbitant amount of money on a new shortstop and bringing in more starting pitching talent will be priorities, but one elite talent has become available at arguably the most crucial infield position.

The Houston Astros failing to win the World Series is accompanied by fleeting players. Star shortstop Carlos Correa is preparing to hit the open market, and the Yankees will have eyes on the former first overall pick in 2012.

Cashman has also shown interest in Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers’ star lefty shortstop, who could be a better fit at Yankee Stadium. However, Correa is 27-years-old and coming off a season where he hit .279 with 26 homers and 92 RBIs. He logged a career-low 18.1% strike-out rate and career-high 11.7% walk rate, showing even more patience at the plate.

Correa contributed 94 singles, 34 doubles, and one triple. He struck out 116 times and walked 75, showcasing an incredible ratio. Correa also saw a nice uptick in exit velocity, averaging 90.2 mph, up from 88.6 in 2020. That is a number that will intrigue the Yankees, given their slugger status.

Correa could be in line for a massive 10-year contract, and the Yankees might be scared away from investing big money in another player. They are already on the hook for Giancarlo Stanton, Gerrit Cole and will likely offer Aaron Judge a massive deal as well. The question is, can they afford to maintain that level of investment, as long-term deals can often bite teams in the butt — see Jacoby Ellsbury.

However, it seems as if the Steinbrenners are willing to push past the luxury tax threshold to become a winning team once again, and solving the shortstop position would fix a massive deficiency. Correa would likely earn upward of $25 million per season, and coming off a year where he posted a .981 fielding percentage with just 11 errors over 1304 innings is incredible. Comparably in 2020, Correa posted a .995 fielding percentage, showcasing he’s one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball by a fair margin.

Despite Correa’s unfortunate past, do you think you should still shift their attention to his services? Comment here!

Pete Rose torches Yankees’ Wild Card lineup, questioning Aaron Boone

by
joey gallo, yankees

There is no doubt that New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone displayed a few interesting lineups throughout the 2021 season. Most would argue that he could’ve chosen more efficient batting orders, as the bottom half during the Wild Card was extremely inefficient.

Beyond the first five batters, the Yankees hosted Brett Gardner, Gio Urshela, Kyle Higashioka, and Andrew Velazquez. Unfortunately, they were only able to curate one hit between all of them, striking out a combined seven times.

Former manager and player Pete Rose had some harsh words for the batting order, specifically Joey Gallo, who struggled significantly in the strikeout department last season. Gallo recorded a measly .199 batting average, striking out 34.6% of his 616 plate appearances.

“That was the worst (bleeping) lineup they could have put on the field,” Rose said to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. “Their 6,7,8,9 hitters were all out-men. They had to have (Aaron) Judge and (Giancarlo) Stanton do something. If they didn’t, all of the pressure was on Joey Gallo. You saw how that worked out.”

Rose was undoubtedly a bit dramatic with his take, but Gallo did strike out a behemoth 213 times. He did manage to post the best walk right up his entire career at 18%, a near 5% increase compared to 2020.

“How does someone who didn’t play every day strike out 213 times?” Rose says. “Ray Charles wouldn’t strike out that much. I just can’t imagine striking out 213 times without killing myself.”

Gallo is capable of being a great player, as he showed back in 2019 when he recorded a .253 average with 22 homers and 49 RBIs. He hit 38 home runs this past season, but his inability to contact hit hurt the team at times.

With Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton performing at a well above average level, they need to find a contact hitter behind them who can drive them in from the base paths. Gallo hit more homers than doubles and triples combined, and had only nine more singles than long balls.

The future for the Yankees needs to be a bit different, as relying on the HR has not worked the past few seasons. They need solid contact hitting with good base runners injected into the middle of the lineup.

Do you agree with Pete Rose’s take here? Comment here!

The Yankees might already have their future starting shortstop on the roster

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gleyber torres, gio urshela, yankees

The New York Yankees are heading into the 2022 off-season with one goal in mind, finding a starting shortstop for the future. While they wait for young prospect Anthony Volpe to reach the major leagues, the Bombers must find a supplement with quality defense to fill a position that Gleyber Torres simply couldn’t hold down.

Torres struggled considerably during his two seasons at SS, earning a .952 fielding percentage this past season over 108 games. Torres picked up 18 errors on the year, falling well below the league average of .974% in the fielding efficiency category. At this time, we can expect Torres to shift over to second base, with DJ LeMahieu potentially filling in at first base depending on what the team does with Anthony Rizzo and Luke Voit.

The infield could realistically endure a few changes this off-season, but one big piece of the puzzle is Gio Urshela.

“I played my entire minor leagues [and major leagues] at third base. Then, moving to shortstop, I kind of liked it,” Urshela said Tuesday, per the NY Post. “I really enjoyed playing shortstop because you get more involved in the game. Every play, you’re going to be involved. Third base, I just wait for the [ball] and that’s it. You don’t move that much. It feels a little bit different, like you get more tired probably after a game [at shortstop].

Urshela stated that he liked playing shortstop after Torres was moved, as he was able to be a more important part of the defense. The 29-year-old infielder posted a .970 fielding percentage and allowed just two errors over 28 games and 200 innings. Urshela clearly offers more sufficient defense compared to Torres, but should the Yankees give him the starting job without considering other options?

There is no question that Gio is an important part of the Yankees’ team, hitting .267 with 14 homers and 49 RBIs this season. He missed a handful of games, which hurt the team defensively at times. The front office could target bigger names like Carlos Correa, Trevor Story, Corey Seager, or even Javier Baez.

Depending on how much money management wants to spend on a potential supplement, they could stick with Urshela and reduce the cost exponentially, moving LeMahieu to third base and retaining Rizzo on an extension.

While fans would likely prefer to bring in a big-name free agent, general manager Brian Cashman is running out of opportunities to spend big in free agency, and ownership may not allow him to cross the $210 million luxury tax threshold this off-season.

With more starting pitching needed and a few supplemental options for the back end of the roster, the Yankees need to be extremely careful unless they’re willing to push beyond their comfort zone and spend aimlessly to build a winning team in 2022.

MLB Insider projects what the Yankees will do with Aaron Boone and a potential extension

by
New York Yankees, Aaron Boone

The New York Yankees have a big decision to make this off-season at the manager position. Aaron Boone and his contract are up with the Bombers, and after being knocked out of the postseason in the Wild Card game against the Boston Red Sox, the front office has to do some serious thinking of the future of the team.

Boone made his fair share of mistakes this past season, tipping his hand too often and making odd moves with little justification. For example, in the Wild Card game, Boone pulled relief pitcher of Clay Holmes, despite him pitching two near-flawless innings and tossing just 16 pitches.

Boone has come across as a poor in-game manager who lacks the discipline to either punish players for performing badly or rewarding them for a good play.

Boone has already indicated he’s not worried about the Yankees’ decision on a possible extension but did state his preference to stay with the club for the foreseeable future. The Yankees don’t like to turn over managers too frequently, but this scenario is interesting, given the fact they have been unable to come close to World Series with Boone at the helm.

Bryan Hoch of the MLB Network believes the Yankees will retain Boone as their skipper.

At the end of the day, the Yankees are spending far too much money on incredible players to lose in the WC against a Boston team they just rebuilt their core over the past two seasons.

The farm system seems to be coming up short, and players aren’t reaching their potential, which can boil down to coaching at times. The starting pitching rotation struggled with injury, which is out of Boone’s hands, as general manager Brian Cashman has found himself strapped for cash after dealing multiple gargantuan contracts that have hurt the Yankees’ financial flexibility.

Ultimately, the team is going to have to spend even more money this off-season to solve the shortstop position and acquire more starting pitchers. The Steinbrenner‘s must be sick at the idea of continuous spending to try and solve flaws that should be filled with young talent from the minor-league teams. Just looking over at the Tampa Bay Rays, you can see a team that trusts their young talent and gives them the appropriate reps to continue developing. Yankees have always been a team that fills holes through free agency, but that strategy can no longer cover up the massive issues on the roster.