NY Yankees

The New York Yankees may have an Aaron Hicks problem after Winter League struggles

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New York Yankees, Aaron Hicks

The New York Yankees did not act before the lockout to bolster their presence in center field. With questions remaining regarding Aaron Hicks’ ability to stay on the field during 2022, GM Brian Cashman noted even though low on his priority list of improvements, center field was a concern of his.

That concern continues today with Hicks’s slow start in Dominican Winter Ball. Hicks, in 44 plate appearances, is hitting .250 with only one home run. The fact that he is playing winter ball is encouraging, but at the same time, it says he is not as good as new.

In May, it was revealed that he had a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist. Hicks missed most of the 2021 season with the wrist injury that ended up needing season-ending surgery. Hicks has quite an injury history in his time with the Yankees.

In 2018, he had a Right Intercostal Muscle Strain. During 2019, he had two bouts with elbow problems and also endured back problems that kept him off the field. In 2020, he had problems with his calves. 2021 was his worst injury season.

First, in April, he had an undisclosed injury, followed two weeks later with back problems, followed by the wrist injury. He ended playing in only 32 games. Hicks, during the last three years, has never played in more than 59 games.

With his injury history and possibly not having Brett Gardner in 2022, the Yankees were looking for help. The word is that the Yankees were heavily in on Japanese star outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who was posted by the Hiroshima Carp last month. The bad news for the Yankees is that the Toronto Blue Jays and the Red Sox are also pursuing him. He’ll have three more weeks to negotiate with all 30 teams or return to Japan when the lockout is over.

With the Yankees having Aaron Judge, Joey Gallo, and Giancarlo Stanton already in the outfield, Suzuki is not the perfect fit as he has little time in center field. If the Yankees land Suzuki, they could move Aaron Judge to center as he played adequately there last season in Hicks’s absence. That would allow them to play Suzuki in his natural position in right field. Suzuki is praised for his speed and base stealing. He stole 25 bases two seasons ago — but what they like most about him is his power (38 homers and a 1.072 OPS with Hiroshima last season.

The Yankees will hope that Hicks will shake the rust off in winter ball, but they also want to be prepared if Hicks can’t stay healthy. With the loss of Starling Marte to the Mets, the Yankees don’t have many options left in center field. This is just one more situation we will have to wait on an outcome once the lockout is lifted.

Yankees: Clint Frazier rips Yankees on his way out after signing new deal with Cubs

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New York Yankees, Clint Frazier

The New York Yankees designated outfielder Clint Frazier for assignment on Nov. 19 and cut him days later; the move brought to an end his tremulous time with the Yankees. Frazier, now 27 years old, took a one-year $1.5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. In usual Clint Frazier form, he is now taking shots at the Yankees.

Many believe that Frazier was not handled correctly by the Yankees in his five years with the team. Still, if you look at his time with the Yankees, his personality was never a fit for the Bronx, as evidenced by his on and off snarky comments about the team and his immature behavior. At one point after a poor game in the field, Frazier refused to speak to the media, while another time when he was sent down to Scranton for poor play, he wiped his social media of any mention of the Yankees.

Last season with the Yankees, in just 66 games, he had a .186 batting average, five homers, and 15 RBIs. Frazier has been wildly inconsistent throughout his career but has posted some good numbers at times, notably in 2019, when he racked up a .267 average with 12 homers and 38 RBIs.

During 2020, Aaron Boone made him a daily part of the lineup in the second half. With all that behind him and being given an Opening Day job, Frazier set his sights on new goals, to become an impact player and an All-Star. There was no question that he had the talent, and possibly playing every day, he could become a superstar.

“The goal is to be an impact player, one that shows what I can finally do over the course of 162 games,” Frazier said in a Zoom call with reporters. “I have goals in my head of what I want to accomplish and I do think that they’re pretty fair goals. If I accomplish those, I do think that there’s a good chance that I could find myself on the All-Star ballot if I produce the way that I hope that I can.”

Regardless of his high opinion of himself, the reality is that his health again impacted his play. Before the 2021 season was half over, Frazier came down with mysterious dizziness and vision problems that kept him of the field for the rest of the season. At one point, he started rehab, but again vision problems knocked him down. Many analysts felt it might have something to do with his injury when he smashed into a wall headfirst earlier in his career. Some said he might never play again.

Just as mysterious is his unexplained complete recovery in the postseason, nevertheless, the Chicago Cubs are taking a one-year chance with Frazier.

One Twitter user wrote that he was glad the outfielder was no longer with the Yankees, Frazier had a simple response:
“so am i,” Frazier wrote, followed by four crying laughing emojis.

In one of his childish moves, in 2017, he wanted the Yankees to un-retire Micky Mantle’s number 7, so he could have it. Now a Cub that has come up again. Frazier wrote that he will be “continuing to wear #77 as well — I requested #7, but unfortunately, it was taken, marking that as the first time I ever asked for that number.” Frazier denied he ever asked for Mantle’s number. Also, in his tweets, he made fun of the Yankee uniform and stated that he would be leaving his razor at home.

Yankees fans wish Frazier nothing but the best with his new club, but at the same time will be watching to see how he acts with the Cubs when things don’t go his way.

Yankees: Projecting a star-studded infield worthy of a Championship

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yankees, matt olson

The New York Yankees were linked to a number of star players this off-season before the MLB instituted a lockout. Ranging from Corey Seager to Justin Verlander, the Bombers have had opportunities to secure elite talent. They ultimately let them sign elsewhere due to lack of inactivity.

However, there are plenty of prospects after the lockout in which the Yankees can target, whether it be via trade or free agency. The Yankees desperately need to make several upgrades in the infield, specifically at shortstop and first base. With Gleyber Torres making the move to second base and Gio Urshela locked in at third base, for the time being, general manager Brian Cashman has his work cut out for him and reportedly has a bit of flexibility with his funding.

It is clear that the strategy was to remain patient during the early months of free agency, waiting until after the lockout to sign players. Nonetheless, the Yankees could still make blockbuster moves to improve their team this off-season, but it all comes down to cost.

A star-studded infield for the Yankees:

1B: Matt Olson

At some point, the Yankees are going to have to make a decision to utilize some of their elite prospects to win now. Cashman has done his best to supplement injuries and deficiencies with cost-efficient talent, but he has a few valuable trade pieces he can utilize to acquire a player like Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson.

Olson is an incredible player, and he will undoubtedly force Cashman to part ways with one of his top shortstop prospects, notably Oswald Peraza (and much, much more). Olson is coming off a season where he hit .271 with 39 homers and 111 RBIs. His 16.8% strikeout rate would be a welcomed statistic for a Yankee batting order that has struggled in the category.

Olson will become a free agent in 2024 and is arbitration-eligible in 2022. Given the team’s control over his contract, the Yankees would have him locked into their starting first base spot for the next few years. Olson is a bonafide star coming off an awesome season. With a lefty bat, he could lead the Yankees in home runs next year if acquired.

2B: DJ LeMahieu

DJ LeMahieu’s preferred spot is second base, which makes Gleyber Torres an extra option. The Yankees could retain Torres and feature him as a super-utility player in the infield, or they could include him in a trade. Considering the Yankees have multiple infield prospects climbing through the ranks, utilizing Torres and his value could be a solid move to build out the roster. However, he’s only 24-years-old and will become a free agent in 2025.

Torres is a valuable asset to the team, even if his defense has been problematic at times. LeMahieu, on the other hand, finished the 2021 season with a .268 average, 10 homers, and 57 RBIs. He came crashing back down to earth from his 2019 campaign, but he is still an incredible hitter who will likely bounce back after an inconsistent season.

SS: Carlos Correa

One way or another, the Yankees have to find a solution at shortstop, and if they acquire Olson via trade, which would be cheaper than retaining Anthony Rizzo, they can afford to pay the Houston star.

Whether fans like it or not, Carlos Correa is an incredible talent, both offensively and defensively. He most recently had .279 with 26 homers and 92 RBIs in 2021, injecting an elite batter into the lineup with just an 18.1% strikeout rate.

However, Cashman will have to deal him 10 years, and if he’s unwilling to move to third base at some point in the future, it could derail negotiations. Nonetheless, he’s the best name on the market at a position of need for the Yankees, so you better believe they will be inquiring about his services.

3B: Gio Urshela

For the time being, Urshela is a fine starter at third base. While he doesn’t live up to star status, he hit .267 with 14 homers and 49 RBIs this season, a solid stat-line over 112 games.

Urshela is a solid defender on the hot corner, which is something the Yankees need to maintain, given their inconsistencies there in the past. He would be the weak point in the infield, which is a good problem to have considering his balanced style.

New York Yankees: Radical differences suggest a long lockout

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The New York Yankees failed to improve the team before the lockout, and they can expect to wait a long time to make those improvements. Most analysts believe the lock will last until the start of spring training, assuming the players are not locked out of the training facilities, endangering the beginning of the 2022 season.

By now, most of you know that Major League Baseball is in its first work stoppage since the 1994-95, that’s 26 years since the players went on strike in the middle of the 94 season. Last Wednesday night at 11:59 p.m. ET, the 2017-21 collective bargaining agreement expired, meaning MLB and the MLB Players’ Association do not have a contract in place to conduct business. This time, it’s not a strike but an owner-imposed lockout instituted just minutes after the present expiration.

What all of this means to the 2022 season is unknown right now, but we do know, is that all MLB business came to an immediate halt. Players and owners can’t even talk to each other until a new deal is signed. But it goes beyond that; the no talk and no contact goes includes managers, coaches, and even rehab trainers. Here are a few other events that could be impacted.

Along with the transaction freeze, the MLB Winter Meetings scheduled for December 6-9, typically the busiest week of the offseason, have been canceled. The Rule 5 draft that is scheduled for December 10 is likely to happen still. There is precedent for this, as the draft went on during the last work stoppage. But the final decision is unclear. The draft is when teams can select unprotected minor leaguers from other teams. Those selected must be included on the procuring team’s 40 man rosters, automatically making them a member of the Players Union.

January 14, 2022, is the arbitration salary filing deadline. You can look for this to occur as arbitration is between the players and the arbitrator and the owners and the arbitrator. The players and owners don’t actually talk to each other. However, pushing the deadline back is not out of the question.

January 15, 2022, is the first day that teams can sign international free agents. It could go on as scheduled during the lockout as the owners are not dealing with major league players. However, that does not mean that date couldn’t be pushed back too. MLB has been wanting an International Draft for years, and the upcoming CBA could change those rules. If a CBA can not be accomplished before spring training, it could push back the signing date indefinitely. The Yankees were expected to sign number one international prospect Rodrick Arias.

On January 20, 2022, the Baseball Hall of Fame will announce their class of 2022 as voted upon by the Baseball Writer’s Association. This will go on as expected.
That brings us to the start of Spring training in February, when pitchers and catchers are to report. If this is no CBA in place, they won’t be allowed on the training facilities, and the start of spring training and the regular 2022 season could be impacted. As it looks right now, most baseball analysts do not expect an agreement until the heat really turns up at the beginning of February. Why? Because the two sides are far apart on the issues, and neither seems to be willing to negotiate in good faith.

Rather than get into all the issues causing the lockout, let’s just say it’s about money, the players want more, particularly at the beginning of their careers, and the owners want to keep that money. That’s not to say there aren’t other issues causing disagreement, but money is the big one. The players feel the owners have pretty much had their way in the last few agreements and are determined not to let that happen again. With heals dug in, there is no telling how long the stoppage will last, or even if there will be a 2022 season.

If these issues are to be resolved, Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and Player’s Union leader Tony Clark and going to have to put their heads together and hammer out what is best for both sides. What the fans want will not be in the equation. For the Yankees, with much work yet to do, they would like to see an agreement made sooner than later.

New York Yankees: Baseball went to war, December 7, 1941

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For the New York Yankees and every other American, today marks the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, when over 2,400 Americans lost their lives in an unprovoked attack by the Japanese, which marked the beginning of World War II.

It was a quiet Sunday morning at 8 am when 100’s of Japanese planes descended onto Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor is a U.S. naval base just west of downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. Although relations with Japan had been deteriorating, the attack was a complete surprise.

The Japanese managed to destroy almost 20 American vessels and more than 300 planes. The attack killed military as well as civilians. It caused then-President Franklin Roosevelt to call the attack “a date which will live in infamy.” President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan, which it did, and the rest is history.

One of the battleships to be destroyed was the USS Arizona. At 8:10, a 1,800-pound bomb smashed through the deck of the battleship USS Arizona and landed in her forward ammunition magazine. The ship exploded and sank with more than 1,000 men trapped inside. To date, only The Arizona and The Utah have been repaired. The Arizona serves as a monument to those that died in the Pearl Harbor attack.

Luckily for the United States battleships were no longer the go-to vessel in fighting wars, the aircraft carrier was, and none of the aircraft carriers were there on that disastrous morning. Those carriers and the fighting men and women of the U.S. military, as we all know were eventually victorious over the Japanese.

The war affected every bit of American life, including the lives of baseball players, that took up the call and served in the forces, many in the prime of their careers. New York Yankees’ Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Ralph Houk, Buddy Hassett, Hank Bauer, Yogi Berra, and Jerry Coleman all served our country. All totaled over 500 MLB players served in World War II. Most resumed their careers after the war, with DiMaggio, Berra, and Rizutto making it all the way to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

EmpireSportMedia.com’s Columnist William Parlee is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research. Follow me on Twitter @parleewilliam

Yankees receive awful off-season grade from CBS, so far

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New York Yankees, Yankees, Brian Cashman

The New York Yankees are not on the list of CBS Sports teams that have made moves to improve their teams this offseason. R. J. Anderson of CBS Sports graded the Yankees “F” in their review of the moves made by all MLB teams so far this offseason. However, what should be most disturbing for Yankee fans is that every other team in the AL East rated better, with both the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays scoring an A. Even the lowly Orioles scored better than the Yankees.

After a disappointing season and an even more disappointing loss in the Wild Card game against the Red Sox, the Yankee front office was talking big. They suggested that the checkbook was open, and the Yankees would be making big moves to improve the team for the 2022 season. General Brian Cashman made it known in no uncertain terms that the Yankees would be going after a big-name shortstop, a number two starter, and help in center field. Instead, what we got was nothing. The only news was that the Yankees might shun a top shortstop while waiting for prospects to develop.

Last week, much to fans’ disappointment, the owners and players couldn’t come to an agreement before the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) expired. A work stoppage was put in place even before Commissioner Rob Manfred had time to exhale. He locked out the players. All 30 team owners unanimously voted to put the lockout in place. That lockout means the hot stove is dead because owners and players, coaches, agents can’t even talk to each other until a new agreement is signed. No trades, no acquisitions, nothing!

It might be an exaggeration, but as of the lockout, most of the best players were already offered contracts leaving the Yankees with crumbs once the lockout is over. Apparently, CBS Sports graded the Yankees with a big fat “F” for their progress in repairing the team for the 2022 season. Here is a look at what other AL East rivals have done so far.

The Tampa Bay Rays rated A:

The Tampa Bay Rays have acted like the Yankees of old. First, the Rays GM Erik Neander scooped up starting pitcher Corey Kluber from the Yankees. The Rays that seem to make the right decisions at the right time saw something in Kluber that the Yankees didn’t as they failed to offer him a contract. The Rays also picked up Brooks Raley, giving Tampa Bay a much stronger bullpen and adding a tremendous left-hander who will be high on their list of relievers.

The Rays also reached an agreement with the young star Wander Franco, giving him a long-term extension. If the club exercises its club option for 2033 and incentives are reached, the 11-year deal could be worth $223 million for Franco. Once the lockout is over, look for the Rays to trade off Tyler Glasnow, who they did quite well without in 2021, and Kevin Kiermaier. If the Yankees get off their hands, they may look at that one once the lockout is lifted.

The Toronto Blue Jays rated A:

Although less active than the Rays, the Toronto Blue Jays have made some nice moves this postseason so far. This postseason they have successfully extended the contract of pitcher Jose Berrios. Last season, he was 12-9 in 32 starts for a 3.52 ERA. The Yankees faced Berrios twice last season, with him winning both games. In another big move, the Jays signed one of the Yankee pitching targets, Kevin Gausman, who will solidify the Jays’ rotation for several years to come. The Jays are also expecting Yimi Garcia to shine in the bullpen.

The Boston Red Sox rated C:

The Red Sox, like the Yankees, lost a key pitcher in Eduardo Rodriguez that the Detroit Tigers signed. However, with the Rays, Chaim Bloom has already signed two former Rays pitchers. He also signed the Mariners pitcher, former Yankee James Paxton. All three of the acquired pitchers have issues. Signing Jackie Bradley after his career-worst season is indeed questionable. It doesn’t seem the Red Sox are behaving as a team that almost reached the World Series.

The Baltimore Orioles D:

Talking about the Baltimore Orioles is almost a joke after losing 66% of their games in the last three seasons. So far in the offseason, the O’s have picked up Rougned Odor that the Yankees felt didn’t deserve to stay with the team, and pitcher Jordan Lyles and his 5.12 ERA. Lyles will be the most expensive player on the O’s at $6 million. Their projected opening day payroll is about $40 million. Expect more of the same from the Orioles.

Yankees’ top prospect is lighting the minors on fire, but he’s also a great person (video)

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anthony volpe, yankees

The New York Yankees may be looking for a long-term solution at shortstop in the free-agent market when the lockout finalizes, but they have multiple prospects climbing the ranks who could take over in the future.

General manager Brian Cashman is hesitant to offer a player like Carlos Correa a massive 10-year contract, especially if he is unwilling to move to third base at some point in the future. The Yankees are confident that both Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza will develop into major-league players, creating a bit of a problem with their strategy in free agency.

Peraza might be a bit closer to reaching the majors than Volpe, but the latter of the two options is only 20-years-old and hit .294/.423/.604 with 27 homers, 86 RBIs, and a whopping 33 stolen bases across Low-A and High-A ball.

“He just dominated from start to finish at multiple levels and it was just refreshing,” Cashman said. “It’s nice to see because you always have the other side of it play out most of the time. Players either take a long time to develop or they don’t develop like you thought and maybe they weren’t what you thought they could be. It’s nice to see his performance, his tool package, his makeup, his work ethic, his character, all coming to fruition. He definitely looks like the real deal so we’re excited about that, for our fans and for our organization.”

Volpe isn’t only a phenomenal prospect, he’s also a great kid with a fantastic personality that would work wonders for the Yankees at the top tier of baseball.

TOP NEWS:

–Everything you need to know on 12/7 for the Yankees

–Yankees making a strong push to sign Japanese stud outfielder 

Volpe answered every question to perfection, staying away from setting personal goals for himself publicly after watching players like Clint Frazier fail to reach expectations. Cashman has already compared him to players like Alex Bregman, and with his development in progress back on track after Covid, the hope is Volpe will become one of the most prized shortstop prospects in baseball if he hasn’t already.

Most believe Volpe is about two years from reaching the majors, potentially three. Looking back, Derek Jeter joined the Yankees when he was just 21-years-old, but his full rookie season came when he was 22, which could be a similar reality for Volpe.

That would suggest that the Yankees forgo a big contract on a shortstop this off-season, rather finding a stopgap like Andrelton Simmons or Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Yankees News 12/7: Everything you need to know today

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lucas luetge, yankees

Cashman’s delays may pay off

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman may have been procrastinating all along as part of the plan, and it just might pay off. Cashman completely sat out the first round of free agency, shunning Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, and even Javier Baez, all signed mega contracts over $140 million. Seager got the prized ten-year $325 million mega-deal. But then came the lockout, leaving Cashman empty-handed.

Now with the lockout in place, Cashman has only a couple of options. He can go after the Houston Astros’ Carlos Correa, who will demand a mega-contract of his own, which is not likely, as the Yankees have other fish to fry. They also could go after the more likely Trevor Story of the Colorado team. The other option remaining for the Yankee is to go the stop-gap avenue and sign Andrelton Simmons or Rangers’ Isiah Kiner-Falefa. At the same time, the team waits for developing prospects, Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza. One thing is for sure, Cashman will have to act quickly once the lockout is over.

Seiya Suzuki may be in the Yankees headlights

In the last week or so, the rumor has been heating up that the Yankees may make a move and go after Japanese star Seiya Suzuki. The Yankees already have the apparently healthy Aaron Hicks to man center field. Still, with his questionable health history, he may be too risky to assume he will play the season for the Yankees. Going after Suzuki is also doubtful as he is not a natural center fielder.

Nevertheless, the Yankees appear to be one of the main competitors for his services. But in that quest, the Yankees are not alone. The rival Boston Red Sox and the up-and-coming Toronto Blue Jays are also in the mix for acquiring him. But with the lockout in place, Cashman won’t have much time to move on Suzuki if he chooses to. Suzuki, in 9 seasons in Japan, has played in nearly 1,100 games with a .309 batting average and 189 home runs. The 27-year-old is a natural right fielder, 3rd baseman, and shortstop has proven his versatility; the Yankees believe he could adequately transition to center field.

Lucas Luetge finally makes it

The Yankee reliever Lucas Luetage has an interesting story on his way to being manager Aaron Boone’s go-to man in the bullpen. It was July 9th, and Lucas Luetge got the win in a shut-out win over the Houston Astros. This was the type of pitcher Luetge was for the Yankees in 2021, but how he got there was unique.

Luetge was selected 21st in the 2008 draft by Milwaukee Brewers, where he played in the minors for almost four years. He split that third season with the Mariners when he was scooped up in the Rule 5 draft. In 2012 he made his major league debut being one of six pitchers to take part in a no-hitter against the Dodgers, but soon afterward, he would find himself back in the minors.

In the minors, he pitched for the Reds, Orioles, Diamondbacks, and Athletics. After almost nine years in the minors, the then 33-year-old was signed to a minor league contract with the Yankees. He got a non-roster invitation to spring training, and the rest is history as he made the opening day roster. He pitched in a career-high 57 games with a 4-2 record and an ERA of 2.74. After an arduous 14 years, Luetge finally reached arbitration and signed a one-year $905k contract with the Yankees for the 2022 season. He couldn’t be more happy and grateful.

The Yankee first base predicament

The is no question that the Yankees have several problems to solve before the start of the 2022 season, as general manager Cashman had done little before the lockout was instituted. His priority is getting a shortstop and a number two type pitcher for the starting rotation. But other problems loom, help in center field and what to do to get production out of first base. Last season they brought in Anthony Rizzo from the Rangers to play down the stretch, but now he is a free agent.

Before the lockout, the Yankees tendered first baseman Luke Voit, but Voit has had mega-trouble staying healthy. This past season he played on only 68 games with a .239 average and 11 home runs—That’s half as many long balls as in the 60-game 2020 season. Voit’s problem is his lower extremities, his feet, and knees that have had recurring problems. Few believe that even though tendered, Voit will not be the 2022 first baseman. The Yankees could re-sign Rizzo or go after the big boy, Freddie Freeman of the World Series-winning Atlanta Braves. As of today, there is no indication of which way the Yankees will go. 

Yankees ‘aggressively’ pursuing Japanese star outfielder Seiya Suzuki

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Seiya Suzuki, yankees

There is reason to believe the New York Yankees will be extremely aggressive coming out of the lockout regarding free agency. General manager Brian Cashman failed to spend or acquire any new players via signings or trades, but that seemed to be part of their overall strategy.

The Yankees have been linked to a number of players, ranging from Justin Verlander to Corey Seager, who have both since agreed to deals with new teams, notably the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros. However, there is plenty of talent left on the market for Cashman to scoop up when things return to normal.

One free-agent target, the Yankees, are reported “aggressively” pursuing his Japanese star outfielder Seiyu Suzuki.

Suzuki is a 27-year-old Japanese native looking to make the transition to the MLB after spending the last nine seasons with Hiroshima. With the lockout commencing, Suzuki’s 30 day period to find a new team has stalled, giving him time to negotiate and figure out an adequate contract.

The projected deal for Suzuki’s is around five years, $55 million, making $11 million per season. It is possible that number increases, and given he hit .317 with 38 homers and 88 RBIs this past year, there’s a reason to believe plenty of teams will be intrigued by his skill set.

Suzuki also has experience playing third base and shortstop but could fill the centerfield spot valiantly with Aaron Hicks dealing with consistent injuries the past few seasons. Cashman indicated earlier this off-season he would be looking for supplements in the outfield after allowing Clint Frazier to walk in free agency and rejecting the club option for Brett Gardner.

The Yankees have had plenty of success signing Japanese players in the past, notably Masahiro Tanaka, Hideki Matsui, and bringing on Ichiro Suzuki later on during his career in the states. Seiya could be the next in line to provide significant talent at the MLB level, and given his double-digit homer seasons, there’s no question the Yankees will be involved in a potential deal.

Yankees News: Yankee Jim Kaat selected for the Baseball Hall of Fame

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The New York Yankees have many illustrious players who have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Today you can add Yankee pitcher and broadcaster Jim Kaat to that list. Others inducted were Gill Hodges, Minnie Minoso, Tony Oliva, a teammate of Kaat’s when with the Twins, Buck O’Neil, and Bud Fowler.

The selections were made on Sunday in Orlando, Florida. The six will be honored on July 24, 2022, in Cooperstown, along with the Baseball Writers Association of America’s selections for the class of 2022. Kaat, Hodges, Minoso, and Oliva were selected by the Golden Days Era Committee (1950-1969), Fowler and O’Neil from the Early Baseball Era Committee (before 1950).

Flower is considered to be the first black professional baseball player. He played second base for over a dozen teams in the Negro Leagues. He died in 1913. O’Neil played 10 seasons with the Memphis Red Sox and Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League and was named to three All-Star teams. He passed away in 2006. Hodges played first base for the Mets and the Dodgers and was an 8-time All-Star. Minoso was a 9 time All-Star for four teams during his 17-year career. Oliva was a teammate of Kaat and was an All-Star 8 times in his 15 years with the Twins.

Although Jim Kaat spent most of his career with the Minnesota Twins, he was also a fan favorite with the New York Yankees, both on the pitching mound and in the broadcast booth at Yankee Stadium. After the 1978 season, the Philadelphia Phillies sold Kaat to the Yankees. For the Yankees, he was a reliable arm out of the bullpen. The lefty obtained free agency after the season but resigned with the Yankees for a big $150k contract, which was a huge amount for a 40-year-old. Before the season was over, the Yankees sold him to the Cardinals.

Although Kaat was a solid reliever for the Yankees, he is more known for his time in the broadcast booth. He announced for the Yankees two separate times, in 1986 and again for a longer stint between 1998 and 2006. He was noted for his baseball knowledge and candid presentation. Kaat’s candor was an enduring element of his analysis. During his broadcast career, he did play-by-play for some important games on ABC, CBS, NBC, and ESPN. Of the six inductees, Kaat and Oliva are the only living players. Kaat is 83 years old. He won 283 games over four decades from 1959-83.

Kaat had this to say about his selection:

“I never was a No. 1 pitcher,” Kaat said. “The Hall of Fame rewards dominance. [Sandy] Koufax, [Bob] Gibson, [Juan] Marichal. I wasn’t dominant. I was durable, I was dependable. I was your No. 2 guy or No. 3 guy. But I’m grateful to the committee that they chose to reward some durability. I really didn’t think this day would ever come,” Kaat said. “It comes as more of a gift to me, and I’m so appreciative of the guys that I played with and against that I think rewarded durability and dependability along with dominance, which the Hall of Fame usually rewards — rightly so.”