Yankees GM Brian Cashman has done a stupendous job reloading the Yankees roster in what some thought was going to be a long and painful rebuilding process. While they ultimately fell short of the main goal of winning a World Series, there is optimism surrounding their future after reaching Game 7 of the ALCS in 2017 and Game 5 of the ALDS this past year. The Yankees are good at keeping their leaks to a minimum and just about every high profile free agent will always be linked to the Yankees. Cashman has insisted that they do not feel the dire need to spend their way to a championship but have no problem doing it as long as it doesn’t hurt their future. They already brought back veterans Brett Gardner and CC Sabathia on cheap 1-year deals so they still can spend if they want to. Here is what the Yankees should look to aim for this offseason.
Sign Patrick Corbin
Both Yankees Owner Hal Steinbrenner and Cashman have reiterated the need to upgrade the starting rotation. Cashman has been quoted saying he wants to add at least two more arms. Patrick Corbin is the top starter available on the market and he just enjoyed a career year at the best time possible. He is still relatively young at 29 and reached 200 innings pitched last season. The Yankees starters have struggled in providing length in their outings and Corbin is a workhorse that could provide some stability to the rotation. He won’t come cheap but the Yankees have plenty to spend.
Trade for Corey Kluber, James Paxton, or Madison Bumgarner
The Yankees have the firepower to trade for one of these aces but the question is who they would be willing to part ways with. The Indians have made it known that they are listening to offers for anyone which means they would have to be blown away in order to trade Corey Kluber or Carlos Carrasco. Kluber will be 33 net year but has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since 2014 and is very affordable. Carrasco has been plagued by injuries so he would be way more of a gamble. The Mariners stated that they are in a full blown rebuild so Paxton will also require a large haul but probably not as much as Kluber would. Newly appointed GM Farhan Zaidi was asked about the potential of trading Madison Bumgarner and he stated that based on where the team is at right now, everything has to be on the table. Any of these three will require at least two top prospects and maybe even someone on the major league roster. It would not be popular, but it might be necessary to involve Miguel Andújar in one of these deals. If I were playing GM, the only one I would give him up for is Bumgarner because of his age and postseason resúmé. Two other prospects the Yankees would have to part with would probably be LHP Justus Sheffield and CF Estevan Florial. Sonny Gray could also be a trading piece if any of these deals were to be made. If the Yankees want to dethrone the Red Sox, trading for one of these aces should be a risk they’re willing to take.
Sign Manny Machado
The Yankees were interested in Machado at the trade deadline but the Orioles dealt him to the Dodgers instead. It was a smart move not giving up premium prospects for someone they could grab in free agency. With Didi Gregorius undergoing tommy john surgery on his throwing arm, this puts the Yankees in the position to sign a middle infielder. There are rumors that Machado’s preferred destination is the Yankees but there have been reports that the Yankees are only luke warm on him. It might take a 10-year deal worth $300 million to land him but Steinbrenner has recently said they are not afraid of giving out those kind of contracts. Machado will only be 36 at the end of a 10-year deal so it won’t be as crippling as some of the other 10-year deals that have been given to players recently. He would be a great fill in for Didi and then would slide over to third base when Didi is healthy again.
Sign Daniel Murphy or Re-sign Neil Walker
Any of these two would provide versatility in the infield. Murphy’s late career bloom could be a nice asset to the power heavy Yankees lineup. He’s the ultimate contact hitter and would be a nice fit as a lefty in a righty heavy lineup. He’s no spring chicken at 34, but a 2 year deal would be a solid move for the Yankees. Walker struggled for a while last season in part because he was a late signing and missed out on all of spiring training. When he was getting regular playing time he actually played pretty well and is known for his clutch at-bats. Walker played anywhere the Yankees asked him too even in right field in which he actually held his own. Walker would be cheaper than Murphy and the organization is already familiar with him which makes him the more likely signing of the two.
Re-sign Zach Britton or David Robertson
Zach Britton was acquired by the Yankees at the deadline this past season and he struggled for them in the beginning but really stepped up when Aroldis Chapman went to the DL. He showed signs of his dominant self. He expressed interest in returning to the Yankees because of how well-run the organization is but he might be a little too expensive for their liking. He could be looking at top dollar in a closer role with another organization. Robertson recently parted ways with his agent in order to represent himself because he felt at this point in his career he knows what his value is. This could possibly mean that he’s willing to take a hometown discount to stay with the Yankees or he just wants to maximize his earnings at this point in his career. However you look at it, at the right price, Robertson would be a great addition to have back and even though he isn’t what he once was, he’s still a capable arm in the bullpen.
